Patient education: Concussion in adults – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED for a head injury and were diagnosed with a concussion. This is a mild brain injury. It can cause confusion, memory loss, and headache. You might also feel a little dizzy or have trouble with balance.

Many people recover quickly after a concussion. But symptoms sometimes last for several days or longer.

The doctor thinks it is safe for you to recover at home.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●The doctors might have told you to have someone stay with you for a while. Make sure they understand what to watch for, and when to get emergency help.

●Rest your body. Get plenty of sleep. Alternate rest with light activity like walking. Avoid heavy exercise if it makes you feel worse.

●Rest your brain. For the first day, avoid doing things that need a lot of thought or focus. Avoid TV, computers, phone screens, and video games. Then, you can slowly start to do these things again. But stop if they make you feel worse.

●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve a headache if needed, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:

•Have trouble waking up from sleep, and are groggy or confused when you wake up

•Are confused or have trouble thinking clearly when awake

•Have a sudden and persistent change in your behavior

•Have trouble speaking, seeing, or walking

•Have severe weakness or cannot move an arm, leg, or 1 side of your face

•Have a seizure

•Vomit

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if you:

●Still have symptoms that interfere with your normal activities after 1 week

●Have blood or clear liquid draining from your ears or nose

●Seem weak or have numbness in an arm, leg, or other body part

●Have a stiff neck

●Have a headache that is severe, gets worse, feels different, or does not get better after taking over-the-counter medicines

●Have new or worsening symptoms

More on this topic

Patient education: Concussion in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Postconcussion syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Head injury in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Head injury observation in adults (The Basics)