When to get emergency help
After a blow or jolt to the head or body, call 911 or go to an emergency department right away if any of these signs appear. Do not drive yourself or wait to finish a symptom log.
- A headache that keeps getting worse and does not go away.
- Vomiting more than once.
- A seizure, new weakness or numbness, or trouble coordinating movement.
- Slurred speech, confusion, or behavior that is unusual for the person.
- One pupil that is larger than the other.
- Passing out, becoming very drowsy, or being hard to wake.
See the CDC’s adult concussion danger signs for the full list.
When to contact a medical clinician
Low energy after a crash can be a concussion symptom, but fatigue alone does not tell you the cause. Sleep changes and medication side effects are among the other factors a clinician may consider. The CDC explains that a concussion can happen without a direct hit to the head. Symptoms can also show up hours or days later.
If you think you may have a concussion, contact a medical clinician as soon as you can, even if you have no emergency signs. If you’ve already been evaluated and symptoms are new, worsening, or not improving, contact the team that assessed you. For more on changes that show up later, see when to get checked for delayed symptoms after a crash.
What to track about fatigue
Use a note on your phone or a piece of paper. Start with the crash date and when the fatigue first appeared. For each entry, write down:
- Date and time. Note when the fatigue came on and how long it lasted.
- Sleep. Note your bedtime, wake time, night waking, and naps.
- What you were doing. Write down the activity and what changed. For example, did you stop reading, take a break from work, or leave a chore unfinished?
- Other symptoms. Note any headache, dizziness, trouble concentrating, or other changes around the same time.
- Medicines and supplements. List what you took, how much, and when. Note whether you felt sleepy afterward.
Example entry: Nov. 10, 2 p.m. Slept about six hours and woke twice. Felt drained after 20 minutes of reading and stopped. Had a mild headache and napped for 30 minutes. No medicine taken that afternoon.
Bring whatever notes you have. Even one entry can help you describe what changed. You do not need a full week of entries before getting checked.
Driving and work
If you feel too sleepy, dizzy, or distracted to drive safely, arrange another ride. Tell your clinician if your symptoms affect your commute or duties such as driving, climbing ladders, or operating equipment. If a concussion is suspected or diagnosed, ask for written guidance about when to return to driving and work. Record difficulties you have already noticed; don’t use a drive or a shift to test your symptoms.
What to bring to your medical visit
Bring your symptom notes, a medication and supplement list, and any discharge instructions or test reports you already have. Ask what changes should prompt another call or urgent evaluation, and what activities to adjust in the meantime.
If you also need help with neck or back symptoms
If you’re considering chiropractic care for neck or back symptoms after you’ve addressed any concerns about head injury with a medical clinician, see what to expect at a first car accident chiropractic visit.