Can you have a concussion without losing consciousness?
Short answer
Yes. Loss of consciousness occurs in only a minority of concussions. Most patients remain conscious and may not initially recognize that a concussion has occurred.
More detail
A concussion is a functional brain injury caused by acceleration and deceleration forces — not necessarily a direct blow to the head. It can result from a whiplash-type event, a fall, a sports collision, or an auto accident, and typically produces neurological symptoms without abnormalities on standard imaging.
Common early signs include feeling dazed, headache, dizziness, visual sensitivity, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disruption. Because these can be attributed to stress or other injuries, concussions are often missed at the initial visit.
Common symptoms or examples
- Headache or pressure
- Dizziness or unsteadiness
- Visual or noise sensitivity
- Nausea
- Cognitive fog, slowed thinking, or trouble concentrating
- Fatigue that is disproportionate to activity
- Sleep changes
- Emotional lability
When evaluation may be appropriate
Any suspected head injury or acceleration event with new neurological or cognitive symptoms deserves an evaluation, even if symptoms seem mild.
Seek urgent care for any of these
- Worsening or severe headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Increasing drowsiness or difficulty being awakened
- New weakness, slurred speech, or seizure
- Unequal pupils
If you are experiencing any of the above, contact emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.
This information is educational and general in nature. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan, and it does not describe every possible cause of a symptom. Individual evaluation is required to determine what applies to any specific case.
Related service
Concussion & mTBI Care
Comprehensive evaluation and targeted rehabilitation for concussion and mild traumatic brain injury.
Learn more about Concussion & mTBI Care