About your visit
You have hit your head, and there is a risk that you have or will have concussion. Symptoms of a concussion may appear up to 24 hours after you have hit your head.
When you get home
Avoid being alone for the first 24 hours
It is important that you are together with another adult for the first 24 hours. It is also important that they read this pamphlet.
They should keep an eye on you and make sure you are behaving as normal. They can also wake you up 2-3 times during the night to check that you react as normal. We will talk to you about that.
Expect headaches and other mild symptoms
It is normal to experience the following:
- headaches
- nausea and vomiting
- dizziness
- trouble concentrating
- fatigue
- memory loss.
If you experience one or several of these symptoms, be sure to rest and avoid mental exertion. You can take pain-relieving medicine. We recommend pain-relieving medicine with paracetamol, which can be bought over the counter. Take only the amount of pain reliever recommended on the package.
Dial 1813 for the medical helpline if your condition deteriorates
In very rare cases, you may begin to feel worse after arriving home. Dial 1813 immediately for the medical helpline if you develop one or several of the following symptoms:
- intense headache
- increasing headache
- increasing fatigue coupled with increased need to sleep
- restlessness and strange behaviour.
Dial 112 if you develop one or several of the following symptoms:
Dial 112 if:
- you are hard to wake
- you have severe vomiting
- you experience cramps or have trouble controlling your arms and legs
- you have double vision or experience other visual disorders
- your speech becomes unintelligible
- one pupil is larger than the other
- you do not notice that others are speaking to you.
Avoid mental exertion
If your head hurts, do not do anything that requires concentration or other mental exertion for the first few days. Therefore, avoid:
- vigorous physical activity, for example sports
- screen time in front of a computer, cell phone or television
- reading
- work that requires high levels of concentration
- very warm temperatures and sunbathing
- direct sunlight
- alcohol, drugs and parties (for at least three days).
Gradually resume your everyday activities
You can gradually resume your daily activities after the first 48 hours, even if you have symptoms. Listen to your body and take breaks during the day. You should also take breaks from your activity if your symptoms get worse.
- Be physically active, for example by going for walks, but take a break if you start to feel unwell.
- Start exercising gently. Pay attention to how your body feels and gradually increase the intensity.
- Make sure you get enough rest and sleep. Taking a nap during the day can also be helpful.
- You may use screens, but take breaks if your symptoms worsen.
You should expect that it may take a long time before you feel completely recovered. It is also normal to feel worse for a while, even if you thought you were getting better. This is completely normal and does not necessarily mean that something is wrong.
Genoptag gradvist dine hverdagsaktiviteter
Du kan gradvist genoptage dine hverdagsaktiviteter efter de første 48 timer, også selvom du har symptomer. Lyt til din krop og hold pauser i løbet af dagen. Du skal også holde pause med din aktivitet, hvis dine symptomer bliver værre.
- Vær fysisk aktiv med fx gåture, men hold pause, hvis du begynder at få det dårligt.
- Begynd roligt med sport. Lyt til din krop og øg stille og roligt intensiteten.
- Sørg for at få hvilet og sovet tilstrækkeligt. Tag gerne en lur midt på dagen.
- Du må gerne se skærm, men hold pause, hvis dine symptomer bliver værre
Du skal forvente, at der kan gå lang tid, før du følger dig helt frisk. Det kan også gå lidt tilbage for en tid, når du ellers synes, det var begyndt at gå fremad. Det er helt almindeligt og behøver ikke at betyde, at der er noget galt.
Contact your general practitioner if your symptoms continue
Contact your general practitioner if you are still experiencing headaches, difficulty concentrating or other symptoms of a concussion after one or two weeks.
Worth knowing