Concussion

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury and shouldn’t be ignored. At MU Health Care, we provide expert evaluation and personalized care to help you feel better, avoid long-term issues and get safely back to school, work or play.

A concussion can happen after a fall, sports injury or accident, and symptoms may appear mild at first. Some people feel dizzy or foggy right away, while others don’t notice symptoms until days or even weeks later.

No matter how it starts, every concussion deserves expert care. Our specialists are here to help you recover.

You’ll have a team of neurologists, rehabilitation experts and athletic trainers working together to assess your symptoms, guide your care and track your progress. We’ll explain what to expect and how to protect your brain while it heals.

Whether you’re heading back to the field, classroom or office, we’re with you from diagnosis to recovery. Our goal is to help you heal and lower your risk of future injury.

Our Approach to Concussion Care

No two concussions are exactly alike. At MU Health Care, we take time to understand your symptoms, how the injury happened and how it’s affecting your daily life.

Your care team may include neurologists, sports medicine doctors, rehabilitation specialists and athletic trainers. We work together to create a personalized plan that helps you recover and avoid long-term complications.

Concussion Symptoms

Concussion symptoms can show up right away or days later. Some are obvious, like a headache or dizziness. Others are more subtle or easy to miss.

If you’ve had a head injury, get checked out if you notice:

Changes in behavior or mood
Changes in vision
Difficulty balancing
Difficulty concentrating
Dizziness
Memory difficulties
Severe or recurring headaches
Sleep disturbances

When to Seek Emergency Care

Some symptoms need fast medical attention. Head to the ER or urgent care right away if you have:

Convulsions or seizures
Decreased coordination
Extreme drowsiness or inability to stay awake
Headache that doesn’t go away
Loss of consciousness
One pupil larger than the other
Repeated vomiting or nausea
Restlessness, agitation or unusual behavior
Slurred speech
Weakness or numbness in the body

Not sure how serious your symptoms are? It’s always safest to get checked out. Early care can help you heal faster and prevent future problems.

How We Diagnose Concussions

Depending on your situation and symptoms, your concussion evaluation may include:

Cognitive testing: Check your memory, attention and reaction time to see how your brain is working after the injury.
Imaging and scans: MRIs or CT scans are sometimes used to rule out bleeding or other issues.
Medical evaluation: A neurologist or physiatrist will assess your symptoms and help guide next steps.
Physical evaluation: Checks your balance, coordination, reflexes and eye movements to see how your brain is functioning.

How We Treat Concussions

We recommend scheduling a visit within 24 to 48 hours of a head injury, even if your symptoms seem mild. If you’re beyond the 48 hours, we still recommend seeking care if you’re experiencing any symptoms.

Our team uses evidence-based methods to treat your symptoms and support your recovery, from the early stages through your return to activities.

Team-Based Care

We bring together specialists across different fields to give you coordinated support. Depending on your needs, your care team may include:

Mizzou Therapy Services: Occupational, physical and speech therapists personalize therapy to your goals.
Neurology, neuropsychology and neuro-ophthalmology: Help you manage changes in memory, mood, vision and more.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation: Guide medical treatment and long-term symptom management.
Sports medicine: Often the first to evaluate sports-related concussions, these doctors offer specialized care to help you return to sports.

What to Expect from Treatment

We’ll create a care plan that fits your symptoms, lifestyle and goals. That plan may include:

Beginning with rest: We usually recommend 24 to 48 hours of downtime, followed by a gradual return to activity.
Easing back into your routine: We’ll offer tips and counseling to prevent re-injury and help you pace yourself.
Making adjustments at school or work: If needed, we’ll help coordinate accommodations that support your recovery.
Planning your return: We offer guidance on when and how to safely resume school, sports or job responsibilities.
Working with additional specialists: We’ll coordinate with therapists or other experts if extra care is needed.

As an academic health system, we also offer access to the latest research and clinical trials for concussion and traumatic brain injury when appropriate. These may open the door to treatments and therapies which are not widely available elsewhere.

Sports Concussion Program

If you’re an athlete, or someone who plays sports recreationally, we can help.

Our Sports Concussion Program brings together sports medicine doctors, neurologists and athletic trainers to diagnose and treat concussions with sport-specific care. We’ll support you from the first symptom to full return-to-play clearance.

What to Expect During Recovery

In the first few days, plan on light activity and rest. Then, with your provider’s guidance, you’ll gradually ease back into your usual routine.

We’ll monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed. That might mean changing your schedule at school or work, participating in therapy or simply tracking symptoms to make sure you’re getting better.

If you’re caring for someone with a concussion, we’ll give you the tools and information you need to support their recovery, too.