Concussion Care

If you or a loved one experience warning signs of concussion, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room (ER) or urgent care clinic right away.

Expert Concussion Care Close to Home

While you explore the outdoors, play competitive sports, engage in leisure activities or just enjoy life, you or a loved one may experience a blow to the head or body that can cause concussion. As a form of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) – more than just a bump on the head – a concussion needs immediate and specialized care. Get expert concussion treatment and services from a multidisciplinary team of specialists in sports medicine, pediatric neurosciences/neurology and more at OU Health in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Edmond.

Baseline Testing for Athletes

Before putting student-athletes into contact sports, get pre-season baseline testing of balance and reaction time through your local athletic program. Then, if concussion occurs during a sports event, baseline test results provide a valuable comparison during healing and the return to athletics, classrooms and other activities.

Concussion Symptoms

Even without external signs of head trauma, concussion can create serious effects related to behavior and overall health. If you or a loved one experience a blow to the head or body, look for immediate symptoms of concussion such as:

• Nausea or vomiting

• Headache or feeling of pressure in the head

• Dizziness or balance problems

• Double vision or blurry vision

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Can’t recognize people or places

• Confusion, feeling groggy or foggy, memory or concentration problems

• Agitation, feeling restless, unusual behavior or changes in mood

• Sleep disturbances

• Loss of consciousness

Delayed Symptoms

Any symptoms of concussion may not appear for a while after a blow to the head or body. That means the challenge of concussion diagnosis requires a clinical assessment by the highly trained sports medicine and pediatric neuroscience physicians at OU Health.

Learn more about symptoms of concussion.

Take this concussion quiz to test your knowledge about symptoms and find out ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

Take Action if You Suspect Concussion

If you notice any concussion symptoms or if you suspect concussion from sports, falls or accidents, take these actions:

• Immediately remove athlete from competition or greatly reduce movement after a fall or accident

• Rest for 24-48 hours; sleep as much as possible

• Avoid all screen time

• Avoid physical or stressful activities

• Monitor for worsening signs/symptoms

• Follow up with your doctor

When to Get Emergency Care for Concussion

Get help right away at your nearest OU Health emergency room (ER) or urgent care clinic if you or a loved one show any of these warning signs of concussion:

• One pupil larger than the other

• Drowsiness or inability to wake up

• Slurred speech

• Weakness or numbness

• Decreased coordination

• Repeated vomiting

• Convulsions or seizures

• Unusual behavior

• Worsening headache

• Loss of consciousness after initial concussion

Concussion Treatment & Services at OU Health

When you choose OU Health for concussion care, you work with a multidisciplinary team of specialists in sports medicine, pediatric neuroscience/neurology, physical therapy, occupational therapy and related healthcare services.

Together, you and your concussion care team evaluate symptoms and develop a customized concussion treatment plan. That means you and your loved ones, coaches, teachers, co-workers and others in your support network receive important information and training to help you achieve optimal recovery from concussion, all tailored to your specific situation. You’ll learn about:

• Steps to take for safe return to play, school, work and other activities with environmental modifications such as:

  • Taking frequent breaks during the day
  • Allowing increased time to complete assignments or changing due dates
  • Avoiding high-risk or strenuous physical activity
  • Using headphones or ear plugs to reduce noise sensitivity
  • Using sunglasses or a hat to reduce light sensitivity
  • Limiting screen use and/or adjusting screen/device settings
  • Avoiding busy, crowded or noisy environments and more

• A concussion recovery plan, including exercises, prevention techniques and potential injection therapies, to share with coaches, teachers and worksites to help everyone make adjustments while you regain as much function as possible

Thorough Evaluation for Comprehensive Care

To begin the process of healing from concussion as part of the OU Health concussion care program, you’ll participate in a thorough evaluation of your symptoms. The results will help you and your concussion care team work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that fits your particular needs. You benefit from OU Health concussion diagnostic services, including:

• Review of physical symptoms – Evaluates physical symptoms such as headache, fatigue

• Cognitive testing – Evaluates concentration, memory

• Neurological exams – Assess balance, coordination, reflexes, hearing, vision

• Imaging tests – Use MRI or CT scans, if needed, to identify brain swelling or bleeding

Recovery from Concussion

The time needed to recover from concussion may vary from one or two days to a few weeks or, sometimes, much longer. By following the action steps for suspected concussion, most children recover within four weeks. Older adolescents and adults typically recover within two weeks. If symptoms persist, see your OU Health sports medicine doctor or pediatric neuroscience specialist to collaborate on creating an individualized treatment plan for your care.

Your Expert Concussion Care Team

At OU Health, your concussion care team involves highly educated experts in sports medicine, pediatric neuroscience/neurology, pediatric medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training and more. You benefit from their extensive experience in concussion care and recovery as part of your ongoing support for a safe return to the activities, work and life you love.