Concussion - what to ask your doctor - adult

Definition

You have had a concussion. This is a mild brain injury. It can affect how your brain works for a while.

Below are some questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse to help you take care of your concussion.

Alternate Names

What to ask your doctor about concussion - adult; Brain injury - mild - what to ask your doctor - adult

Questions

What types of symptoms or problems will I have?

  • Will I have problems thinking or remembering?
  • Will I have a headache?
  • How long will the symptoms last?
  • Will all the symptoms and problems go away?

Does someone need to stay with me?

  • For how long?
  • Is it okay for me to go to sleep?
  • If I go to sleep, does someone need to wake me up and check on me?

What type of activity can I do?

  • Do I need to stay in bed or lie down?
  • Can I do housework? How about yard work?
  • When can I begin to exercise? When can I start contact sports, such as football or soccer? When can I begin skiing or snowboarding?

When can I go back to work?

  • What should I tell my boss about my concussion?
  • Can I work a full day?
  • Will I need to rest during the day?

What medications can I use for any pain or headache? Can I use aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or other similar medications?

Is it okay to eat? Will I feel sick to my stomach?

When can I drink any alcohol?

Do I need a follow-up appointment?

When should I call the doctor?

See also:

  • Disease

    Concussion

    Concussion

    A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury that may occur when the head hits an object, or a moving object strikes the head. It can affect how the brain works for a while. A concussion can lead to a bad headache, changes in alertness, or .

  • Discharge Instructions

    Brain injury - discharge

    Head injury – discharge; Head trauma – discharge; Contusion – discharge; Shaken baby syndrome – discharge

  • Discharge Instructions

    Concussion - adults - discharge

    Brain injury – concussion – discharge; Traumatic brain injury – concussion – discharge; Closed head injury – concussion – discharge

  • Self-Care Instructions

    Dementia and driving

    Alzheimer's disease

  • Symptoms

    Confusion

    Head trauma

    Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and having difficulty paying attention, remembering, and making decisions. See also:

  • Questions To Ask Your Doctor

    Newborn jaundice - what to ask your doctor

    Newborn jaundice is a common condition. It is caused by high levels of bilirubin (a yellow coloring) in your child’s blood. This can make your child’s skin and sclera (the whites of their eyes) look yellow. Your child may go home with some jaundice or may develop jaundice after going ...

  • Self-Care Instructions

    Bleeding during cancer treatment

  • Disease

    Abscess

    An abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body that, in most cases, causes swelling and inflammation around it.

Review date:
June 11, 2012
Reviewed by:
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA and Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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