Eachempati said, is that it protects a victim’s airway and prevents aspiration, or breathing fluids or foreign bodies into the lungs, another potential cause of death.

The new thinking: What are the recommendations for sleep after concussion now? The reality is that these more concerning injuries usually show up in the first 3 to 6 hours after injury. Therefore, you should keep a concussed person awake during this time and monitor them.

Keep him awake or let him sleep; it doesn’t matter much. An unresponsive patient may face some special risks, however. The muscles of the airway can relax in such a way as to hinder breathing, or a patient might be suffocated by his floppy tongue, or by having his neck tilted at a funny angle.

A mild concussion may last only hours to 7 to 10 days. More severe concussions may last weeks to months.

There are three grades:

• Grade 1: Mild, with symptoms that last less than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness.
• Grade 2: Moderate, with symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness.
• Grade 3: Severe, in which the person loses consciousness, sometimes for just a few seconds.

In most people, symptoms occur within the first seven to 10 days and go away within three months. Sometimes, they can persist for a year or more. The goal of treatment after concussion is to effectively manage your symptoms.

Mild or no symptoms does not mean you don’t have a concussion. Some people don’t notice their symptoms immediately. And the symptoms may not be extreme — it’s possible that you’ll only experience a mild headache and moderate fatigue for a few days before getting back to normal, for example.

Most conditions that result in head pressure aren’t cause for alarm. Common ones include tension headaches, conditions that affect the sinuses, and ear infections. Abnormal or severe head pressure is sometimes a sign of a serious medical condition, such as a brain tumor or aneurysm.

Generally, immediate head pain can manifest within a few hours or days after hitting your head and resolve itself shortly after with proper rest and treatment. However, post concussion headaches and migraines begin within 7 days of the injury and generally last for at least 3 to 6 months.

Long Term Effects of a Concussion

• Trouble concentrating.
• Memory problems.
• Irritability and other personality changes.
• Sensitivity to light and noise.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Depression and other psychological problems.
• Disorders of smell and taste.