A hard hit on the soccer field. A slip in the shower. A rear-end collision on the way home. A fall in the kitchen. However it happened, there was a head injury, and now you are trying to figure out whether it needs emergency care.
When in doubt, come in. Concussions are deceptive. Symptoms can be subtle, can develop hours after the injury, and can sometimes mask more serious head injuries that need urgent treatment. Aether Health Kingwood ER provides fast, expert concussion evaluation with on-site CT scanning and board-certified physicians available 24/7. We serve Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, Porter, and the Lake Houston area.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt that disrupts normal brain function. The brain briefly moves inside the skull, affecting cognition, balance, mood, and sleep for days to weeks while it heals.
You do not have to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Fewer than 10% of sports-related concussions involve loss of consciousness. Any event that causes the head or body to move violently, including whiplash from a car accident, can cause one.
Concussions sit at the milder end of the head injury spectrum, but “mild” does not mean trivial. More serious injuries, including intracranial bleeding, skull fractures, and brain contusions, can look like a concussion in the first hours. ER evaluation is the only reliable way to rule them out.
Concussion Symptoms to Watch For
Immediate Symptoms
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Confusion or feeling foggy
- Memory problems around the time of impact
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Slurred speech or slow responses
Delayed Symptoms (Hours to Days Later)
Many concussion symptoms do not appear right away. Watch for the following in the 24 to 72 hours after a head injury:
- Persistent or worsening headache
- Trouble concentrating or remembering
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood changes, including irritability or anxiety
- Fatigue out of proportion to activity
- Difficulty with reading, screens, or work tasks
Symptoms in Children
Young children may not be able to describe what they feel. Instead, watch for: inconsolable crying, unusual sleepiness, refusal to eat, vomiting, trouble walking or balancing, or behavior and mood changes that are not typical for the child.
Red-Flag Symptoms That Require Immediate ER Care
Go to the emergency room in Kingwood immediately if you see any of the following:
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly
- Repeated vomiting
- Seizure or convulsion
- Severe confusion or unusual behavior
- Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
- Unequal pupil sizes
- Clear fluid or blood from the nose or ears
- Severe or rapidly worsening headache
- Increasing drowsiness or difficulty staying awake
Call 911 instead of driving if the person is unconscious, having a seizure, bleeding heavily, or showing signs of stroke.
What ER Concussion Evaluation Looks Like
Neurological Exam
Your physician begins with a focused neurological exam covering alertness, orientation, memory, balance, coordination, eye movements, and pupil response. They will ask about how the injury happened, what symptoms have developed since, and any history of prior concussions.
When a CT Scan Is Ordered
Not every head injury requires imaging. Our diagnostic imaging services are on-site, and a CT scan is ordered when:
- There was a loss of consciousness
- There has been repeated vomiting
- The patient is over 65 or under 2 years old
- Signs of a possible skull fracture are present
- The patient is on blood thinners
- There are neurological symptoms such as weakness, vision changes, or speech problems
- Symptoms are worsening
- The injury was high-impact
CT results come back within minutes of the scan. If imaging is not needed, your physician will explain why.
How Long the Visit Takes
A straightforward concussion evaluation typically takes 1 to 2 hours from arrival to discharge, significantly faster than a hospital ER. If observation for delayed symptoms is needed, the visit may run longer. You leave with a clear understanding of the diagnosis and a specific recovery plan.
The Critical 24 to 72 Hour Window
The first ER visit is the beginning of monitoring, not the end. After a head injury, swelling and inflammation can peak over the following 24 to 72 hours. Symptoms that were mild at the time of injury can intensify, and new symptoms can emerge.
Warning Signs of Intracranial Bleeding
Return to the ER immediately if any of the following develop in the days after a head injury:
- Progressively worsening headache
- Increasing confusion or difficulty staying awake
- Vomiting that starts or worsens hours after the injury
- New weakness or numbness
- Seizure
- Unequal pupils
- Personality changes or extreme irritability
Second-Impact Syndrome in Young Athletes
A second head injury before the first concussion has fully healed can cause catastrophic and sometimes fatal brain swelling, a condition called second-impact syndrome. This is why full clinical clearance before returning to contact sports is non-negotiable, particularly in young athletes.
Concussion Recovery: What to Expect
There is no quick fix for a concussion. The brain heals on its own time, typically 2 to 4 weeks in adults and 4 or more weeks in children. What ER care does is rule out something more serious, manage symptoms, and give you a clear recovery plan.
Initial Recovery
The first 24 to 48 hours involve relative rest, both physical and cognitive. Limit screens, intense thinking, and schoolwork. Stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol and any activity where another head injury could occur, including contact sports and driving, until cleared by a physician.
Return to Activity
Current guidelines no longer recommend prolonged strict rest. After 24 to 48 hours of relative rest, a gradual return to light activity that does not worsen symptoms is encouraged. Your physician will provide a step-by-step progression based on your specific situation.
Return to School and Sports for Children
Recovery for kids follows a graduated process: cognitive rest first, then symptom-guided return to school starting with half days, then light non-contact physical activity, and finally progressive return to sports only after being symptom-free at each stage. Full contact sports require complete clinical clearance. Our discharge documentation includes everything schools and coaches need for accommodations.
Why Choose Aether Health Kingwood ER for Concussion Care
On-Site CT Scanning
If your evaluation calls for imaging, our CT scanner is on-site. No transfer. No second waiting room. Results come back fast, typically within the hour.
Board-Certified Emergency Physicians 24/7
Head injuries do not follow business hours. Our 24/7 emergency room has board-certified emergency physicians on-site at all times, whether your injury happened at 3 PM on a Saturday or 11 PM on a Tuesday.
Fast, Focused Care
As a freestanding ER serving the Kingwood community, our wait times are typically minutes, not hours. You are seen quickly, evaluated thoroughly, and on the path to recovery faster.
One Physician From Evaluation to Discharge
The same board-certified emergency physician who evaluates you reviews your imaging, writes your treatment plan, and delivers discharge instructions. No handoffs, no conflicting guidance, complete continuity.
Insurance and Billing
Aether Health Kingwood ER works with most major insurance plans. Call (713) 528-8703 to verify your coverage before your visit. For full billing details, visit the Insurance and Billing page at kingwooder.com.
Visit Us
Address: 2158 Northpark Dr, Kingwood, TX 77339. Free parking at the front entrance. Easy access from US-59, Kingwood Drive, and Northpark Drive.
No appointment is ever needed. Walk-ins are always welcome. If you are a patient with a head injury, do not drive yourself. Have someone bring you, and if possible, have them complete an online check-in on the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I go to the ER for a concussion?
Yes, especially with loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, worsening headache, confusion, or any neurological symptoms. Even for milder cases, ER evaluation rules out more serious injuries that can look like a simple concussion in the first hours.
Will I need a CT scan?
Not always. Imaging is ordered based on specific clinical criteria including loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, patient age, blood thinner use, and neurological symptoms. For mild concussions without red flags, imaging may not be necessary.
What if symptoms start hours after the injury?
Come back to the ER. Concussion symptoms commonly emerge 24 to 72 hours after the initial injury. Any new or worsening symptoms after a head injury warrant re-evaluation.
When can my child return to sports?
Only after full clinical clearance, following a graduated process: symptom-free at school first, then light non-contact activity, then progressive return to sports. Returning too soon risks second-impact syndrome. Our physicians provide step-by-step guidance and all documentation schools and coaches require.