Concussion

It is normal to experience the following symptoms during the first few days:

• Minor headaches
• Nausea
• Memory loss
• Poor concentration level
• Tiredness
• Dizziness

You have been examined and observed at the accident and emergency department after suffering a head injury. We consider it appropriate to send you home but you should not be alone the next 24 hours.

Do not read books, watch television, play computer/video games, drink alcohol or play sports, as your brain needs rest.

It is normal to be absent from work for a few days after a concussion as the brain needs rest.

You may take over-the-counter medication in accordance with the instructions on the packet.

For children according to their weight or in accordance with your general practitioners instructions.

A few patients find that their symptoms persist for several weeks. In this case you should contact your general practitioner. He or she may refer you for a further check-up/examination at the hospital.

If you have any worries, you can contact the emergency department in the first 24 hours after discharge (see Contact).

Later than 24 hours after your discharge you can contact your general practitioner or the emergency doctor service – phone 70 11 31 31.

It is okay to let the child sleep. You must keep an eye on the child and make sure that the child sleeps naturally.

You need to control the childs condition and wake the child up every 2 or 3 hour to make sure that the child is okay.

The child needs to react naturally to your touch while it is sleeping.

If you have any worries you can contact the emergency department in the first 24 hours after your discharge.

Later than 24 hours after your discharge you can contact your general practitioner or the emergency doctor service – phone 70 11 31 31.

If the child can not be comforted you also need to contact the emergency department (in the first 24 hours) or your general practitioner or the emergency doctor service.

Be aware that babys and small children can not tell if they have a strong headache or nausea.

We recommend that the patient is woken once or twice during the first night to check:

• Whether the patient wakes up as he or she normally would
• Whether the patient is difficult to wake
• Wheter the patient is aggressive