Visible external injuries are not always a good way to tell if someone has a concussion since some very minor scalp wounds bleed profusely, while some less visible impact injuries can cause major brain impairment. Physical symptoms to look for include signs of basilar skull fracture, Battle’s sign (a swollen bruised area that appears several days after a skull fracture because blood has leaked into the area behind the ear), raccoon eyes, and rhinorrhea (leakage of cerebrospinal fluid). [5] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source

Loss of consciousness. Severe headache. Light sensitivity. Double or blurred vision. Seeing “stars”, spots or other visual anomalies. Loss of coordination and balance. Vertigo. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in legs and arms. Nausea and vomiting. Amnesia. Obvious confusion.

Unusual irritability or excitability. Disinterest or difficulties with concentration, logic, and memory. Mood swings or outbursts of inappropriate emotions and tearfulness. Drowsiness or lethargy.

A - Is the victim alert? - Does the victim watch you with their eyes? Does he answer your questions? Does he respond to normal environmental stimuli? V - Does the victim respond to voice? - Does the victim respond when spoken to, even if the response is small and not completely alert? Does he need to be yelled at to respond? A victim can respond to verbal commands and not be alert. A response of “Huh?” when you speak to them means they are verbally responsive, yet not alert. P - Does the victim respond to pain or touch? - Pinch skin to see if there is movement or if the victim opens his eyes. Another technique is to pinch or poke the nail bed. Be careful when doing this; you do not want to cause unnecessary harm to the victim. You are simply trying to get a physical response from him. U - Is the victim unresponsive to anything attempted?

Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap it in a cloth or plastic. If ice is not available, use a bag of frozen vegetables. Do not apply pressure to any head trauma wound as this could push bone splinters into the brain.

What is today’s date? Where are you? What happened to you? What is your name? Are you feeling alright? Can you repeat the following words after me. . . ?

Every time you wake them, do the AVPU consciousness test as outlined above. You want to continuously monitor their cognitive and physical state in case symptoms appear later or worsen. If the victim does not respond to being woken up, treat as an unconscious patient.

Returning to activity too early predisposes you to increased risk for a repeat concussion and long term problems of dementia.

Avocados. Blueberries. Coconut oil. Nuts and seeds. Salmon. Butter, cheese, and eggs. Honey. Any of your favorite fruits and vegetables.

If the patient is unconscious or if you are unsure the extent of the damage, call an ambulance. Driving a head trauma patient requires moving them, which should never be done until the head is stabilized. Moving a head trauma patient could lead to death.

Loss of consciousness, even if briefly. Periods of amnesia. Feeling dazed or confused. Severe headache. Repeated vomiting. Seizure. [19] X Research source

If you must move the person, do so very carefully. Make sure to move the head and the back as little as possible. [21] X Research source

A doctor may perform any number of scans, including an MRI, CT, or EEG. [23] X Research source A doctor may also perform a neurological test that evaluates your vision, hearing, reflexes, and coordination. Another test they may perform is a cognitive test, which checks memory, concentration, and recall. [24] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source