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Concussions - Myth & Facts

Popular culture has perpetuated several myths about concussions, leading to widespread misinformation. This can be dangerous, as it may result in improper recognition, response, and treatment. Understanding the facts is essential for promoting safe recovery and preventing further injury. This page clears up common misconceptions and provides evidence-based information to help you better understand concussions.

Myths & Facts

Myth: You must lose consciousness to have a concussion.

FACT: Most concussions involve disorientation, but not a loss of consciousness. In fact, loss of consciousness only happens around 10% of the time when a concussion occurs (when this happens, medical attention is required).

Myth: You can only sustain a concussion if you get a direct hit to the head.

FACT: A hit to the head is not the only way an individual can sustain a concussion. A concussion may be caused by a direct blow to the head, face, neck, or a blow elsewhere on the body with an impulsive force transmitted to the head. Concussions can occur from hits to different parts of the body of varying magnitude.

Myth: If I have a concussion, it will lead to permanent brain damage.

FACT: There are many causes to degenerative brain disease. Scientific studies are learning about the relationship between concussions and brain disease and while there is a relationship, a concussion does not cause brain disease.

Myth: Concussions aren’t a big deal. An individual with a concussion or a suspected concussion doesn’t need to go to the emergency room.

FACT: Anyone showing signs of a suspected concussion should seek assessment from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or healthcare professional with relevant training. If the person shows any of the Red Flag Symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency care immediately.

Myth: A person with a potential concussion can return to sport, play, or normal activity the same day if they are feeling okay.

FACT: If a person has a suspected concussion, they should NOT return to sport or activity the same day. They should be seen by a medical professional and/or monitored for delayed symptoms for 48 hours.

Myth: Complete recovery from a concussion only takes 2 to 3 days.

FACT: Concussions typically resolve within 4 weeks; however, up to 30 percent will continue to experience persisting symptoms beyond this period. Persisting symptoms have the potential to cause long-term difficulties. If there is no improvement or symptoms are worsening 2-4 weeks after a concussion, physician referral to an interdisciplinary clinic is recommended, where available.

Myth: A person needs to stay in bed and rest for at least a week to recover from a concussion.

FACT: The recovery process for concussion begins with relative rest for a maximum of 2 days, followed by a gradual and well-managed return to activity. This is best done in collaboration with key individuals in the person’s life, such as healthcare providers, family members, friends, employers, teachers and school staff, coaches, etc.

Myth: You have to keep someone with a concussion awake

FACT: It’s a common myth to keep someone with a concussion awake, as long as they’ve been assessed and cleared by a medical professional. Rest, including sleep, is essential for brain recovery. Waking someone repeatedly can actually interfere with healing. However, if symptoms worsen—such as vomiting, confusion, or loss of consciousness—seek emergency care immediately.

Myth: If you don’t have symptoms immediately, you don’t have a concussion

FACT: Concussion symptoms don’t always appear right away—they can take hours, days, or even a week to show up. While early signs may include confusion or headache, delayed symptoms like sensitivity to light, sleep issues, irritability, and fatigue are also common.

Myth: Helmets prevent concussions.

FACT: Helmets do not prevent concussions—they protect against skull fractures and more serious brain injuries. A concussion can still occur from the brain moving inside the skull during sudden impacts or whiplash. Helmets can reduce the severity of a blow, but they must be properly fitted and maintained to be effective.

Myth: Treating an adult for concussion is the same as treating a child.

Myth: All concussions are the same.

FACT: As many professionals say, “If you’ve seen one concussion, you’ve seen one concussion.” Concussions can affect people in very different ways—impacting memory, mood, balance, vision, sleep, or even heart rate. No two injuries are exactly alike, which is why personalized assessment and care are key to proper recovery.

Did You Know?

There are an estimated 200,000 concussions or approximately 500/1000 people each year in Canada that sustain a concussion. Falls and motor vehicle accidents being the primary causes of concussion.

Sports Related Concussions account for about 20% of all concussions with young adults having the highest rates of concussions.

Hockey, football, and rugby are sports with the highest rates of concussions although athletes tend to have faster recovery times.

Some people are at a slightly higher risk for experiencing concussion, such as those with a history of attention disorders, learning disabilities, headaches, mental health concerns, or the female sex.

Concussions have been called different names, like a “conky” or “ding” or getting one’s "bell rung.”

Although a majority of people can experience immediate symptoms, sometimes these aren’t easily identifiable for up to several days.

The symptoms of concussions overlap with other conditions, like pain, migraines, or mood disorders, so it can be difficult to sort these out, especially right after a concussion.

People of all ages get concussions, but a study conducted by the Injury Prevention Centre determined that Alberta residents between the ages of 10 and 24 had the highest average number of concussion emergency department visits.

The Persian physician Rhazes was the first to distinguish concussions from more severe brain injuries in the 10th century.Reference

There is an estimated 1 in 5 lifetime risk of concussion, and children and adolescents account for over 50% of this burden.

In Alberta, 14% of male high school students and 10% of female high school students report at least one concussion in the past year.

In youth, 30% of concussions are recurrent and 30% of youth will suffer symptoms for months.

Some people are at a slightly higher risk for experiencing concussion, such as those with a history of attention disorders, learning disabilities, headaches, mental health concerns, or the female sex.

While concussions can happen to anyone at any time due to a fall or other accident, the risk of concussion is higher during sports. The risk is highest during high impact sports. Reference

People experience unique outcomes from concussions, although headaches are the most common symptom occurring in about 85% of people. Read more.

A study conducted by the Injury Prevention Centre determined that 37 Albertans sustain a concussion each day. That is 13,579 concussions per year being diagnosed in Alberta’s emergency departments. That number does not include concussions treated at physicians’ offices, walk-in clinics, or those not recognized or treated.

A study conducted by the Injury Prevention Centre determined that in Alberta the highest number of concussions was due to falls. Followed by concussions due to sports activities and motor vehicle crashes.

Did You Know?

Most concussions in young children don’t happen during sports. In fact, common causes include everyday falls from beds, stairs, and sofas—only 2 out of 10 concussions in young children occur during physical or sports activities!

Did You Know?

Young children often can’t fully express their symptoms after a head injury. Caregivers need to watch carefully for unusual behaviours or signs of discomfort.

Did You Know?

After a young child sustains a head injury, it’s important to stay calm and remember not all head injuries are necessarily concussions. When a concussion does occurs, most children recover within days or weeks.