Head Injuries and Concussion in Grand Rapids, MI

Any knock or blow to the head is considered a head injury. Your skull and facial bones are hard and protect the brain, which is a soft, delicate organ. When the head is hit, the brain can move inside the skull and bump against the bone, leading to bruising, swelling, or bleeding.

In Grand Rapids, head injuries are common in car accidents on icy winter roads, falls on snow and ice, workplace incidents, and sports such as hockey, football, and soccer. Understanding concussion and when to seek care is important for families, athletes, and older adults across West Michigan.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is the most common type of head injury. It is a mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily changes how the brain works.

A concussion:

  • May or may not involve loss of consciousness (a “blackout”)
  • Often causes confusion, memory problems, or headache
  • Usually improves over days to weeks with proper rest and care

Loss of consciousness, if it happens, is usually brief and followed by a rapid and complete recovery. However, even a mild concussion is a brain injury and should be taken seriously.

Always Seek Medical Attention for a Head Injury in Grand Rapids

Any significant blow to the head should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. In Grand Rapids, concussion and head injury care is available at:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) emergency departments and urgent care centers
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids emergency department
  • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
  • Mercy Health and other local clinics
  • Your local primary care provider or pediatrician

If you are unsure how serious the head injury is, err on the side of caution and get checked.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Concussion

Symptoms may appear right away or develop over several hours. Watch for:

  • Confusion or appearing “dazed”
  • Repeating the same questions or statements
  • Headache or pressure in the head
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, balance problems, or clumsiness
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Difficulty remembering events before or after the injury
  • Slowed thinking, difficulty concentrating, or feeling “foggy”
  • Changes in mood (irritability, sadness, anxiety)
  • Sleep changes (sleeping more or less than usual)

Children may not be able to describe their symptoms well. Watch for:

  • Crying more than usual
  • Not wanting to eat or play
  • Seeming unusually tired or irritable
  • Trouble walking or unsteady movements

First Aid: What to Do Right After a Head Injury

1. Make Sure the Scene Is Safe

Before helping the injured person, check that there are no ongoing dangers (traffic, ice, falling objects, etc.). This is especially important after car crashes or winter falls in Grand Rapids.

2. Check for Loss of Consciousness

  • If the person is unconscious, call 911 immediately.
  • Check their airway and breathing.
  • If they are not breathing, begin CPR if you are trained.

3. Do Not Move the Person Unless Absolutely Necessary

  • Do not move someone with a suspected neck or spine injury unless they are in immediate danger (for example, from traffic or fire).
  • Support the head and neck in the position found, if possible.

4. Check Mental Awareness

Ask simple questions:

  • “What is your name?”
  • “Where are you?”
  • “What happened?”

Notice if they are confused, slow to answer, or cannot remember.

5. Check the Eyes

Look for:

  • Unequal pupil size
  • Pupils that do not react to light
  • Eyes that move strangely or do not focus

6. Watch for Vomiting

Vomiting can be a sign of concussion or a more serious brain injury.

  • One episode can occur with concussion.
  • Repeated vomiting is more concerning and needs urgent medical assessment.

7. Keep the Person Awake and Observed Initially

  • Keep them awake for a period of time to watch for worsening symptoms.
  • Be aware that symptoms can improve at first and then get worse later.
  • Children, especially, can deteriorate quickly, so close observation is important.

When to Call 911 for a Head Injury in Grand Rapids

In an emergency, always call 911. Seek urgent medical care immediately if the injured person has:

  • Loss of consciousness at any time
  • Severe or worsening headache
  • Vomited more than twice
  • Seizure (fit, shaking, or jerking of arms, legs, or face)
  • Difficulty staying awake, extreme drowsiness, or trouble waking up
  • Blood or clear fluid coming from the ears or nose
  • Weakness, numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles” in arms or legs
  • Stiff neck
  • Confusion, slurred speech, or unusual behavior
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Dizziness that is getting worse
  • Memory problems or cannot recognize people or places
  • A very high temperature (fever), which could indicate infection
  • A large bump, cut, or obvious skull deformity

These symptoms may indicate a serious brain injury and require immediate evaluation at the nearest emergency department, such as Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

What to Expect in the Emergency Department

If you go to a Grand Rapids emergency department or urgent care for a head injury or concussion, the healthcare team may:

  • Ask about how the injury happened and your symptoms
  • Perform a neurological exam (checking strength, balance, memory, and reflexes)
  • Monitor you for a period of time
  • Provide mild pain relievers (often acetaminophen/paracetamol) for headache
  • Give anti-nausea medication if needed
  • Order an x-ray of the neck if there is neck pain or suspected neck injury
  • Order a CT scan of the head if:
    • You lost consciousness
    • You have severe or worsening symptoms
    • You are on blood thinners
    • You are older or have other risk factors

For a mild head injury or concussion, you may be discharged home with instructions and told to rest. Ask for:

  • A work or school note if you need time off
  • Clear written instructions on what to watch for at home

Taking Care of Yourself at Home After a Concussion

Your doctor will give specific advice, but general self-care tips include:

Rest and Activity

  • Rest quietly for the first 24–48 hours.
  • Limit physical activity (no heavy lifting, running, or sports).
  • Limit activities that strain the brain, such as:
    • Long periods of screen time (phone, computer, TV, video games)
    • Intense studying or complex tasks
    • Loud environments and bright lights

Pain Relief

  • Use ice packs over any swollen or painful areas for 10–20 minutes at a time, with a cloth between ice and skin.
  • Take simple painkillers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) for headache.
  • Check the package for the correct dose and follow your doctor’s instructions.
  • Avoid ibuprofen or aspirin initially unless your doctor says they are safe for you.

Food and Drink

  • You may be advised to avoid eating or drinking for the first 6–12 hours, especially if you feel nauseated. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
  • When you can eat:
    • Start with small amounts of light foods (toast, crackers, soup).
    • Drink fluids in moderation to stay hydrated.
  • Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours, and longer if symptoms continue.
  • Do not take sedatives or other medications unless prescribed or approved by your doctor.

Supervision

  • Arrange for a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours.
  • They should:
    • Check on you regularly
    • Watch for any worsening symptoms
    • Be ready to call 911 if needed

Children and Sleep

  • Children are allowed to sleep, but:
    • They should be woken every 3–4 hours during the first night.
    • Check if they recognize you and respond normally to familiar things.
  • If you have any concerns about a child’s behavior or symptoms, seek urgent care.

Normal Symptoms During Recovery

There is no specific medication that “cures” a concussion. The main treatment is time and rest.

It is common to experience:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness or feeling off-balance
  • Feeling more tired than usual
  • Mild memory or concentration problems
  • Slower thinking or reaction times
  • Mood changes (irritability, sadness, anxiety)
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Trouble remembering the events around the injury

These symptoms usually improve over a few days to a few weeks. Most people in Grand Rapids with a mild concussion make a full recovery.

When Symptoms Don’t Go Away

Some people have ongoing symptoms that last weeks or months. This is sometimes called post-concussion syndrome.

If you:

  • Still have headaches, dizziness, or memory problems
  • Struggle to concentrate at work or school
  • Notice ongoing mood or sleep changes

…schedule a follow-up visit with your primary care provider, a neurologist, or a concussion specialist in Grand Rapids. Early support can help you recover more fully and safely return to your normal activities.

Local resources that may help include:

  • Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids neurology and rehabilitation services
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for community health information and referrals

When to Seek Urgent Medical Care After Going Home

After you leave the hospital or clinic, seek urgent medical care or call 911 if you develop:

  • Severe or worsening headache
  • Repeated vomiting (more than twice)
  • New or worsening confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior
  • Blackouts or fainting
  • Seizure (fit or jerking movements)
  • Difficulty staying awake or waking up
  • Weakness, numbness, or tingling in arms or legs
  • Blood or clear fluid from the ears or nose
  • Stiff neck
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Fever or high temperature
  • Any other symptom that worries you

Do not wait to see if symptoms “go away” if you are concerned.

Returning to Work, School, and Daily Activities in Grand Rapids

Work and School

It is best to wait until you are feeling clearly better before returning to full work or school responsibilities.

  • Do not return to work or school until:
    • Your headaches and dizziness are mild or gone
    • You can concentrate reasonably well
    • You are sleeping fairly normally
  • The time off needed varies depending on:
    • The severity of the head injury
    • The type of work or study you do (for example, physical jobs, driving, operating machinery)
  • Ask your doctor for specific guidance and for any documentation needed for your employer, school, or college.

Driving

  • Do not drive home from the hospital. Ask someone to drive you or use a taxi or rideshare.
  • Avoid driving until:
    • Your vision is clear
    • Your reaction times and concentration have returned to normal
    • Your doctor says it is safe

Driving too soon after a concussion can be dangerous, especially in challenging West Michigan winter conditions with snow and ice.

Returning to Sports and Physical Activity

For athletes in Grand Rapids—whether school sports, adult leagues, or recreational activities:

  • Do not return to sport until all concussion symptoms are completely gone.
  • Your reaction time and thinking may be slower for a while, putting you at risk of another injury if you play too soon.
  • A second concussion before full recovery can:
    • Make recovery much slower
    • Increase the risk of long-term problems
    • In rare cases, cause dangerous brain swelling, permanent brain damage, or death

Follow a step-wise return-to-play plan supervised by a healthcare provider experienced in concussion management (many sports medicine and primary care clinics in Grand Rapids offer this).

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Head Injury and Concussion

If you or a family member has a head injury or concussion, you can seek help from:

  • Emergency Care

    • Call 911 for any serious symptoms.
    • Go to the nearest emergency department (e.g., Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, U of M Health–West).

  • Primary and Follow-Up Care

    • Your GP/primary care provider
    • Pediatricians for children and teens
    • Neurologists or sports medicine specialists for persistent or complex cases

  • Public Health and Information

    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health and local community clinics
    • Brain injury support organizations and rehabilitation services in West Michigan

Key Points About Head Injuries and Concussion in Grand Rapids

  • Any significant blow to the head can cause the brain to move and potentially swell or bleed.
  • The most common type of head injury is concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury.
  • Signs of concussion include confusion, headache, nausea, dizziness, memory problems, and sometimes repeating the same things.
  • There is no specific medication that cures a mild concussion—the main treatment is rest and not overdoing activities.
  • It is common not to remember the events around the injury and to feel more tired than usual.
  • Most people fully recover, but seek medical care if symptoms are severe, getting worse, or not improving.
  • In Grand Rapids, concussion care is available through major health systems, primary care providers, and local public health resources.

If you are ever unsure how serious a head injury is, get it checked—prompt evaluation can protect your brain and your long-term health.