Concussion and Minor Head Injury

A concussion is a mild brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussion symptoms include headache, dizziness, confusion, and feeling foggy. Most people recover within 2 weeks with rest and a slow return to activity.

What Is It

A concussion happens when the brain moves quickly inside the skull. You do not have to pass out to have a concussion. Sports, falls, and car crashes are the most common causes. Symptoms can show up right away or over the next day.

Symptoms

Headache or pressure in the head
Dizziness or trouble with balance
Confusion or feeling foggy
Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light or noise
Trouble remembering or concentrating

Not sure it’s a concussion? A bump with a small goose egg and no other symptoms is usually just a bruise. A headache that starts days later without a head injury has other causes.

Treatment

At your visit: A provider checks memory, balance, vision, and nerves to look for a concussion and danger signs. Some head injuries need a scan at an emergency department. Recovery includes a gradual return to school, work, or sports.

At home:

Rest your body and brain for the first day or two
Limit screens, reading, and loud places at first
Return to activity slowly as symptoms allow
No sports or contact activity until a provider clears you

Most concussions improve within 2 weeks. Children and teens can take longer.

When to Get Care for a Head Injury

Watch at Home

A bump with no other symptoms
Acting normal and fully alert
Mild headache that eases with rest

Come to Urgent Care Today

Headache, dizziness, or nausea after a head injury
Feeling foggy or having trouble concentrating
A sports injury that needs a concussion check
A return to sports or school note
Symptoms lasting more than a week

Go to the Emergency Department

Passing out, even briefly
A headache that keeps getting worse
Repeated vomiting
Seizure, slurred speech, weakness, or numbness
One pupil larger than the other, or very sleepy and hard to wake
A head injury while taking blood thinners, or in an adult over 65

FAQ

What are the first signs of a concussion?

The first signs of a concussion are often headache, dizziness, confusion, and feeling dazed. Some symptoms, like trouble concentrating, appear over the next day.

How long does a concussion last?

Most concussions improve within 2 weeks. Children, teens, and people with past concussions can take longer to recover.

Can you sleep after a concussion?

Yes, you can sleep after a concussion once a provider has checked you. Go to the ER if the person is very hard to wake.

When can I return to sports after a concussion?

You can return to sports after a concussion only when symptoms are gone and a provider clears you. Return slowly, in steps.

Can urgent care check for a concussion?

Yes, urgent care can check for a concussion. At Vitality Urgent Care, a provider can check memory, balance, and nerves and explain a safe return to activity.

When is a head injury an emergency?

A head injury is an emergency when there is passing out, a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizure, weakness, or slurred speech, or the person takes blood thinners.

Last reviewed October 2026