Diagnosis:

Anyone who receives a concussion must be watched very carefully after the accident. It is important to notice how long unconsciousness lasts and how serious the symptoms seem to be. These signs are indications of how serious the brain injury was, and are important in deciding how best to treat the patient.

A medical professional can decide how serious a concussion is with some simple tests. He or she may examine the pupils of the patient's eyes, test the patient's coordination and sense of feeling, and observe his or her memory, orientation, and concentration. Patients with mild concussions do not require hospitalization or further tests. Those with more serious injuries may need further evaluation including a computer-aided tomographic (CAT) scan of the brain.