Indiana Brain Injury Needs Assessment Report
Signs and Symptoms
People with a mild concussion or traumatic brain injury may have symptoms such as:
• Headache
• Confusion
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Tiredness or sleepiness
• A bad taste in the mouth
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Changes in behavior or mood
• Difficulty with memory, concentration, or thinking
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
Someone with a moderate or severe concussion or traumatic brain injury may have these symptoms in addition to the ones listed above:
• A headache that gets worse or does not go away
• Repeated nausea or vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Convulsions or seizures
• Trouble waking up
• One or both pupils becoming larger than normal
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
• Loss of coordination
• Increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation
• Loss of consciousness lasting several minutes to hours
Anyone who experiences a blow to the head or another type of trauma that could have caused a traumatic brain injury should seek medical attention right away.
