If you or your loved one has a concussion:
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Visit an emergency department within the first 24 hours
- If symptoms are not better in 3-5 days, follow up with a physician
For additional information, call our concussion HELPLINE at 502-420-0125.
Develop an Action Plan
A medical action plan for concussion management calls for a follow-up plan for symptomatic patients. A physician may decide to monitor the patient in the office setting or may refer the patient to a concussion specialist.
Serial evaluation of the concussion is critical as symptoms may resolve, worsen, or ebb and flow depending upon many factors (e.g., cognitive/physical exertion, other medical conditions). Referral to a specialist can be particularly valuable to help manage certain aspects of the patient’s condition.
- Physician/clinician serial monitoring – particularly appropriate if the number and severity of symptoms are decreasing over time and/or fully resolve within 3-5 days. If a steady reduction is not evident, referral to a concussion specialist is warranted. Use of the following evaluations is recommended:
- Referral to a concussion specialist – appropriate if symptom reduction is not evident in 3-5 days, or sooner if symptom profile is concerning in type and/or severity.
- Physician evaluation – particularly relevant for medical evaluation and management of concussion. It is also critical for evaluating and managing focal neurologic, sensory, vestibular and motor concerns. It may be useful for medication management (e.g., headaches, sleep disturbance, depression) if post-concussion problems persist.
