Concussion

At New York Neurology Associates, we understand how a concussion can affect your thinking, balance, mood, and daily life. If you’ve experienced a head injury or are dealing with lingering symptoms, contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our New York offices. Our experienced neurologists provide thorough evaluations and personalized treatment plans to support a safe recovery and help you return to your normal activities with confidence.

Topic at a Glance

  • A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can temporarily affect brain function, memory, balance, and concentration.
  • Common concussion symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and sensitivity to light or noise, though symptoms may not appear immediately.
  • Most people recover with proper care, but prompt evaluation is important to identify more serious brain injuries and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
  • Following a medically supervised recovery plan and returning to activities gradually can help prevent repeated concussions and support safe healing.

Whether your head injury occurred during contact sports, a fall, a motor vehicle accident, or another event, our neurologists specialize in diagnosing and treating concussions and other forms of traumatic brain injury. Prompt evaluation can help restore brain function, reduce the risk of long-term complications, and support a safe recovery.

Our team at NY Neurology Associates offers a full spectrum of care, from immediate concussion assessment to long-term management of persistent concussion symptoms and postconcussion syndrome. If you’re experiencing concussion symptoms, contact one of our New York offices today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation and receive expert, personalized care.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily affects brain function. It occurs when a blow or jolt to the head or body causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull, resulting in temporary chemical changes and stretching of brain cells.

Although a concussion is considered a mild brain injury, it should never be ignored. Symptoms may appear immediately or develop over the following hours or days, making it important to seek evaluation after any significant head injury.

Common Concussion Causes

As mentioned, a concussion occurs when there is an impact or sudden acceleration or deceleration of your head. While anyone can experience a concussion, certain risk factors, such as participating in contact sports, may increase the likelihood of injury.

Common causes of concussion include the following:

  • Falling
  • Sports injuries
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Violent assaults

Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion

Every concussion is different, and concussion symptoms can vary from person to person. Some symptoms occur immediately after the injury, while others may not become noticeable until several hours later.

Common physical symptoms include:

  • Headache or pressure in the head
  • Dizziness or balance problems
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurred vision or sensitivity to light/noise
  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering
  • Fatigue or changes in sleep patterns
  • Emotional changes such as irritability or anxiety

While most people recover within days to weeks, some develop postconcussion syndrome, where symptoms continue for several weeks or months. Repeated concussions can also increase the risk of longer recovery times and future neurological problems.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Seek emergency care immediately if you or someone else develops any of the following after a head injury:

  • A headache that gets worse
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Increasing confusion or inability to recognize people
  • Slurred speech
  • Weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking
  • Seizures
  • Unequal pupil size
  • Loss of consciousness or difficulty waking up

These symptoms may indicate a more serious or life-threatening brain injury that requires immediate medical attention.

How Concussions Are Diagnosed

Accurate diagnosis is the cornerstone of effective concussion management. A healthcare professional, such as one of our neurologists, will review your medical history, discuss how the injury occurred, evaluate your symptoms, and perform a comprehensive neurological examination.

Diagnostic testing may include:

  • Neurological and Cognitive Testing: Assessing attention, memory, reaction time, and overall brain function.
  • Balance and Vestibular Evaluation: Detecting dizziness or inner ear problems.
  • MRI or Advanced Brain Imaging (when indicated): To rule out bleeding or other structural brain injuries.
  • EEG (Electroencephalogram): To evaluate brain activity when appropriate.

Treatment and Recovery From Concussion

Our goal is to reduce symptoms, promote brain healing, and safely return patients to their normal daily routines.

Treatment may include:

  • Rest and Gradual Return-to-Activity Plans: A structured return to school, work, and physical activity based on your recovery.
  • Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation: For dizziness or instability.
  • Vision Therapy: To improve visual tracking or focusing problems.
  • Cognitive Rehabilitation: Exercises that improve attention, memory, and processing speed.
  • Headache Management: For persistent headaches following a concussion.
  • Mood and Sleep Support: Addressing anxiety, depression, and disrupted sleeping patterns.
  • Nutraceutical Support: When appropriate as part of a personalized treatment plan.

During recovery, patients are often advised to temporarily limit activities that worsen symptoms, including prolonged screen time or playing video games, until they can be resumed comfortably.

Concussion Prevention and Return-to-Play Guidance

For athletes and active individuals, proper recovery is essential before returning to sports. Returning too soon can make symptoms worse and increase the risk of repeated concussions.

Our neurologists provide evidence-based return-to-play and return-to-learn protocols for athletes participating in contact sports and other high-risk activities. We carefully monitor recovery to help reduce the risk of another head injury.

Preventing Future Concussions

These strategies may help reduce your risk of another concussion or head injury:

  • Wear properly fitted protective equipment during sports and recreational activities.
  • Always wear your seat belt.
  • Reduce fall hazards around your home.
  • Protect young children by installing safety gates and window guards.
  • Exercise regularly to improve strength and balance.
  • Learn the warning signs of a concussion and never return to play on the same day a concussion is suspected.

Education is one of the best ways to prevent future injuries. We provide concussion education for athletes, parents, coaches, employers, schools, and healthcare professionals.

Schedule a Concussion Evaluation in New York

Prompt diagnosis and individualized treatment are essential for proper brain healing and the prevention of persistent symptoms. At New York Neurology Associates, our board-certified neurologists provide comprehensive concussion care and post-concussion syndrome management. 

Contact one of our offices in New York today to schedule an appointment and begin your path to safe, complete recovery.

FAQs About Concussion

What is the difference between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury?

A concussion is the most common type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). While concussions are generally less severe than other traumatic brain injuries, they still require proper evaluation and management to ensure the brain heals correctly and to reduce the risk of complications.

Recovery varies from person to person. Many adults recover within two to four weeks, while children and adolescents may take longer. Some people develop post-concussion syndrome, where symptoms persist for several weeks or months and require ongoing neurological care.

In most cases, sleeping after a concussion is safe once you’ve been evaluated by a healthcare professional and a serious brain injury has been ruled out. However, if you develop worsening symptoms such as repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, severe drowsiness, or difficulty waking up, seek emergency medical care immediately.

You should seek emergency care if you experience a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, weakness, loss of consciousness, increasing confusion, or difficulty recognizing people after a head injury. These symptoms may indicate a more serious brain injury that requires immediate treatment.

You should only return to sports, exercise, work, or school after being cleared by a qualified healthcare provider. Returning too soon can increase the risk of another concussion, prolong recovery, and potentially lead to more serious complications. A gradual return-to-activity plan is the safest approach.

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