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The Daily Insight

Is it OK to listen to music while having a concussion

Author

Andrew Campbell

Published Feb 13, 2026

Take off from school, work, and social activities for 2-3 days. Get to bed early and sleep in the next day. Your body heals and grows while you sleep; the hours of sleep before midnight count double the hours after midnight in this regard! Listen to music, watch TV, talk with your friends, nap, eat.

What should you not do with a concussion?

  • Excessive physical activity. An increased heart rate may worsen your symptoms, dragging out your recovery.
  • Strenuous mental activities. Reading, computer work, playing video games, texting and watching TV can overstimulate your brain, says Dr. …
  • Driving too soon. …
  • Pain relievers.

Is it bad to look at your phone with a concussion?

Generally, after suffering a concussion, patients are encouraged to avoid reading, watching TV and using mobile devices to help their brains heal.

What makes a concussion worse?

Some people who have had a concussion find that at first it is hard to do their daily activities, their job, to get along with everyone at home, or to relax. Ignoring your symptoms and trying to “tough it out” often makes symptoms worse. Rest is very important after a concussion because it helps the brain to heal.

How do you entertain yourself when you have a concussion?

Light Activity (usually within a few days to a week after the concussion) Slowly try more activities, such as going for a walk or watching TV. If symptoms interfere with an activity, take a break from it. You can try it again after a few minutes or longer, or you can try a less strenuous version of the activity.

How long do concussions take to heal?

Approximately 80 percent of concussions resolve over seven to 14 days, with an average of 10 days. People with concussions should never return to sports or other physical activity sooner than one week from sustaining the injury.

What are the stages of a concussion?

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.

Should I go to ER for Concussion?

Should I Go to the Hospital for a Concussion? In general, any head injury associated with loss of consciousness, seizures, prolonged confusion or amnesia, neck pain, vomiting or numbness or weakness in arms or legs should be transported to the emergency room in an ambulance right away.

Does a concussion heal itself?

Most concussions resolve on their own without any lasting effects. However, some concussions can accompany a more serious injury that requires treatment. Seek emergency treatment if you notice any of the following after a concussion: sudden, intense headaches.

Should I go to hospital if I hit my head?

When to go to hospital Unconsciousness or lack of full consciousness, even if the person has now recovered. Any clear fluid running from the ears or nose. Bleeding from one or both ears. Bruising behind one or both ears.

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Can I play video games after a concussion?

The law says that an athlete who appears to have sustained a concussion must immediately be removed from play or practice for at least 24 hours.

Do blue light glasses help concussions?

Blue light blocking glasses have been shown to significantly increase screen-time usage in individuals with post-concussion syndrome, yet these results are only representative of a small portion of the concussion population.

How bad is screen time for concussions?

In any case, there’s no research to indicate that looking at screens is inherently harmful after a concussion — though in some cases staring at the TV or computer could make post-concussion headaches worse.

What are 5 signs of a concussion?

  • Headache or “pressure” in head.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.
  • Bothered by light or noise.
  • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
  • Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.
  • Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.

Can a concussion get worse?

Even though your concussion may be mild, its effects can be serious. If you ignore the symptoms, your condition could get worse. That’s why you need to see our team at Neurology Consultants of Arizona as soon as possible if you think you have a concussion.

What are the 6 types of concussions?

  • Cognitive/fatigue. This type of concussion can cause you to have trouble with prolonged or complex mental tasks, complex subject matter, and long days. …
  • Vestibular. …
  • Ocular. …
  • Post-traumatic migraine. …
  • Cervical. …
  • Anxiety/mood. …
  • Concussion Types and their Triggers.

Is a Level 3 concussion bad?

You are at risk of permanent brain damage with a grade 3 concussion. Patients with grade 3 concussion can experience speech difficulty, amnesia for more than 24 hours, vomiting, and seeing stars. The symptoms of a grade 3 concussion are also the longest-lasting before they improve and subside.

How bad is my concussion?

A headache that gets worse and does not go away. Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination. Repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching). Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.

How many concussion is too many?

Although there isn’t a set answer as to how many concussions is too many, there are different variables that determine when concussions could turn into permanent damage. As the number of concussions suffered increases, so does the risk for developing long-term damage.

Do concussions make you tired?

After a concussion, your brain has less energy to spare than it normally does. Everything now takes up a little more energy than before. This can make you feel tired and lose energy. This is called fatigue.

Can doctors do anything for concussions?

However, most concussions don’t require surgery or any major medical treatment. If the concussion is causing headaches, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Should you ice a bump on head?

Applying something cold to the injury for up to 20 minutes will reduce external swelling and pain. When a person has a blow to the head, their brain can be shaken inside the skull as well. This may cause a more serious head injury which may make them feel sick or drowsy.

How doctors tell if you have a concussion?

Brain imaging may determine whether the injury is severe and has caused bleeding or swelling in the skull. A cranial computerized tomography (CT) scan is the standard test in adults to assess the brain right after injury. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to obtain cross-sectional images of your skull and brain.

How long should you stay out of school with a concussion?

When concussion symptoms have lessened and are tolerable for up to 30 to 45 minutes, a child should return to school. This will usually happen within a few days and certainly within the first week of the concussion. Prolonged absences from school following a concussion is discouraged.

Are LED lights bad for concussions?

Types of Light that Can Worsen Symptoms Some of the most common light sources can be a trigger for a person with photophobia after a head injury. Bright sunshine, harsh reflective glare, fluorescent lighting and computer, television or mobile device screens all have the capability to worsen post concussion symptoms.

What color light is best for concussions?

A study that the United States military funded concludes that blue light can help heal mild traumatic brain injury simply by helping the person sleep better. Share on Pinterest By improving sleep, blue light may aid recovery from mild traumatic brain injuries.

What are concussion goggles?

The Concussion Goggle is a hands-on awareness tool that is specially engineered to simulate the potentially debilitating effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head.

Can you take a hot bath with a concussion?

Relax your muscles by soaking in a hot bath or taking a hot shower. Take over-the-counter acetaminophen to relieve headache pain. Take them as directed on the package.

Can I drive with a concussion?

Studies suggest that one should not attempt to drive within the first 24 hours after suffering a concussion. But because a concussion affects each individual differently, there is no hard-and-fast rule for when it is safe to return to driving after a concussion.