How do pupils look if you have a concussion?

After more serious head injuries are excluded, a diagnosis of concussion can be made. Medical professionals have long used the pupillary light reflex — usually in the form of a penlight test where they shine a light into a patient’s eyes — to assess severe forms of brain injury.

Do pupils get bigger or smaller with a concussion?

A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds. A headache that gets worse over time. Fluid or blood draining from the nose or ears. Vision or eye disturbances, such as pupils that are bigger than normal (dilated pupils) or pupils of unequal sizes.

Does a concussion affect your pupils?

Blurred vision: Blurred vision along with double vision is one of the most common symptoms of a concussion. Blurry vision often becomes worse when someone is tired. Light sensitivity: The brain may have trouble adjusting to various levels of light after a head injury.

What happens if you drink alcohol with a concussion?

Can You Drink Alcohol with A Concussion? Drinking alcohol with a concussion can be damaging to the brain’s recovery. It may prolong symptoms or in some cases, even make them worse. Because alcohol is a psychoactive substance, it alters brain function.

Can I drink alcohol after a head injury?

Alcohol consumption following a brain injury is known to impair brain injury recovery and is not recommended. After sustaining a brain injury, many people find they are much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol – specifically its negative impact on cognition and an increase in symptoms of depression.

When is it OK to drink alcohol after a concussion?

It is sensible to avoid alcohol for at least one week after injury and then monitor carefully how alcohol affects you. Reduce your normal intake until you feel fully recovered.

Why are my pupils so big after a concussion?

A variety of factors can influence pupil size, and not all of them have to do with light and distance. Some of these other factors include: A concussion is a brain injury that results from the brain smacking against the hard skull during a fall, a hit to the head, or a fast impact involving the whole body.

What happens to the left eye after a concussion?

If one eye’s pupil is a different size than the other (called anisocoria), the eye with the larger pupil will experience: Picture depicting unequal pupil sizes. This patient’s left eye will be more light sensitive, and potentially have reduced vision, especially at near. Pupil differences after a concussion will normalize with time.

Can you drink alcohol if you have a concussion?

After a concussion, your tolerance for alcohol can be reduced and you may be more sensitive to alcohol. The effect of alcohol on individuals with brain injuries is yet one more health relationship that requires additional study. We know that alcohol changes our brain chemistry, at least temporarily, which makes us feel relaxed, happy or sad.

What are some misconceptions about a concussion?

Misconceptions about concussion A concussion happens only with a blow to the head. A person with a concussion always loses consciousness. Dilated pupils are a sign of concussion. A person with a concussion must be taken to the emergency room. Concussion patients should be awakened every few hours so they don’t lose consciousness.