Concussion Symptoms: Why Am I Still Dizzy, Tired or Struggling to Concentrate?
Have you had a concussion but still don't feel like yourself?
Maybe your headaches have improved, but you are still feeling dizzy. Perhaps you are exhausted after a normal day at work, struggling to concentrate or finding that busy environments make you feel unwell.
These are all common experiences following concussion.
Most people recover well following a concussion, but for some people symptoms can continue for longer than expected. When this happens, it is important to understand why your symptoms are persisting rather than simply being told to wait it out.
What symptoms can occur after a concussion?
Concussion can affect many different areas of brain and body function. This means symptoms can look very different from one person to another.
Common concussion symptoms include:
Headaches
Dizziness or feeling off-balance
Nausea
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Memory problems
Blurred or double vision
Sensitivity to light or noise
Neck pain
Reduced exercise tolerance
Sleep difficulties
Irritability or changes in mood
You don't need to have all of these symptoms to have a concussion.
Why am I still dizzy after a concussion?
Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms following concussion.
However, dizziness can mean different things. You may feel like the room is spinning, light-headed, unsteady when walking, worse when moving your head or uncomfortable in busy places such as supermarkets.
Your balance depends on information from your eyes, inner ears, neck and brain. Following a concussion, the way these systems work together can be disrupted.
This is where vestibular rehabilitation can be helpful for some people. A physiotherapist trained in vestibular rehabilitation can assess your balance, eye movements, head movements and symptoms during movement to identify whether your vestibular system may be contributing to your dizziness.
Research supports targeted vestibular rehabilitation for people with appropriate concussion-related symptoms.
Why am I so tired after a concussion?
Concussion-related fatigue can be very different from normal tiredness. You may sleep well but still feel exhausted after working, socialising or looking after your children.
Fatigue can also be influenced by headaches, poor sleep, reduced exercise tolerance, dizziness and the demands of returning to work or study. This is why simply "resting more" isn't always the answer. The goal is to gradually rebuild your tolerance to everyday activities.
Why do I feel worse when I exercise?
Another common concussion symptom is reduced exercise tolerance. You may notice that: exercise brings on a headache, you become dizzy, you feel unusually tired or your symptoms increase after exercise.
Current concussion guidelines recommend a gradual return to physical activity rather than prolonged complete rest. Research has also shown that appropriately prescribed aerobic exercise can help concussion recovery. The key is finding the right level of exercise for you and gradually increasing it.
What does it mean if my concussion symptoms last more than four weeks?
The Amsterdam International Consensus Statement uses the term "persisting symptoms" when concussion symptoms continue for more than four weeks. If this occurs, we recommend finding help and looking more closely at what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Persistent symptoms can involve several different systems, including:
Vestibular function
Vision and eye movements
Neck function
Headaches or migraine
Exercise tolerance
Sleep
The autonomic nervous system
Cognitive function
Psychological factors
This is why a multimodal assessment is recommended when symptoms persist. The good news is that concussion symptoms can often be treated with a targeted rehabilitation approach.
If you live in Tauranga, Papamoa, Mount Maunganui or the surrounding Bay of Plenty, The Rehab Team provides neurological and vestibular physiotherapy for people experiencing concussion symptoms and difficulties with recovery.
Find out more about our concussion care - Here.
Book an appointment with The Rehab Team today - Here.
Want to know more?
Have a look at The Rehab Team's other blogs here
