Can Concussions Cause Difficulty in Breathing?
Content reviewed and edited by Dr. Mario Quintanilla, MD. Walk in or call (713) 660-0001 anytime.
A concussion by itself rarely causes difficulty breathing. The breathing centers of the brain sit deep in the brainstem, and a concussion — a mild traumatic brain injury — does not usually damage them. When someone does have trouble breathing after a head injury, the most common causes are anxiety, panic, or hyperventilation triggered by the injury. Less often, breathing problems signal something more serious: a severe brain injury or a separate chest injury from the same accident. Treat new trouble breathing after any head injury as an emergency — call 911 or get to the nearest ER.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of head injury caused by a blow to the head, a fall, or violent shaking of the head and upper body. It temporarily disrupts normal brain function. Typical symptoms include headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, poor coordination, and memory problems — and they can appear immediately or develop hours to days after the injury. Most people recover fully with rest and a gradual return to activity.
How a Head Injury Can Affect Breathing
There are three main ways breathing problems show up after a head injury:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and hyperventilation. This is the most common link. A concussion — or the frightening event that caused it — can trigger panic symptoms: rapid shallow breathing, shortness of breath, a feeling of being smothered, lightheadedness, chest tightness, and a sense of dread. These symptoms are real and treatable, but they should only be attributed to anxiety after a medical evaluation has ruled out more serious causes.
- A more severe brain injury. A hard enough impact can cause bleeding or swelling in or around the brain. If pressure builds on the brainstem, it can affect consciousness and breathing. This is a life-threatening emergency.
- Injuries elsewhere in the body. Falls, car crashes, and sports collisions that injure the head often injure the chest or ribs too, which can make breathing painful or difficult.
People who already have asthma may also find that the stress of an injury triggers an asthma attack.
Red Flags — Go to the ER Now
Call 911 if a person who has hit their head has any of the following:
- Trouble breathing, irregular breathing, or breathing that stops
- Cannot be woken up, or loses consciousness
- Convulsions or seizures
- One pupil larger than the other
Go to the nearest ER immediately (call 911 if you cannot get there safely) for:
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away
- Repeated vomiting
- Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- Increasing confusion, restlessness, or unusual behavior
- Clear fluid or blood draining from the nose or ears
- Any head injury in someone taking blood thinners
Symptoms can be delayed, so watch the injured person closely for the first 24–48 hours. When in doubt, get evaluated — a serious brain injury can look mild at first.
ER, Urgent Care, or Telemedicine?
- ER: Any of the red flags above, any significant head injury, or breathing difficulty after head trauma. Our guide on when to visit the ER covers the general warning signs.
- Urgent care: Not the right setting for head injuries with concerning symptoms — urgent care centers typically cannot rule out bleeding in the brain.
- Telemedicine: Useful for follow-up questions during concussion recovery, or for mild lingering symptoms like trouble sleeping or anxiety after you’ve been evaluated. Schedule a telemedicine visit with our team.
How Bellaire ER Evaluates a Head Injury
Our board-certified emergency physicians examine you, check neurological function, and order imaging when it’s needed. A CT scan is not required for every concussion — many are diagnosed by clinical exam alone — but when a more serious injury is suspected, our on-site CT scanner provides answers in minutes, 24/7. If breathing symptoms are present, we also evaluate the heart and lungs to rule out non-neurological causes.
Recovery and Ongoing Breathing Symptoms
The core of concussion treatment is relative rest: limit physically and mentally demanding activity at first, then return gradually as symptoms allow. Do not return to sports until cleared by a medical professional — a second concussion before the first has healed is dangerous.
If breathing difficulty persists after serious causes have been ruled out, treatment targets the underlying anxiety or panic disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, controlled breathing exercises, and in some cases medication are effective. Post-concussion syndrome — symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and anxiety lasting weeks or months — also responds to structured care, so follow up with a physician rather than waiting it out.
FAQs
Can a concussion cause long-term breathing problems? Rarely. Persistent breathing trouble after a concussion is usually driven by anxiety or panic and improves with treatment. If it continues, see a healthcare provider to rule out other causes.
Is it safe to sleep after a concussion? Generally yes — rest helps recovery. The old advice to keep patients awake is outdated. Do seek immediate care if the person is hard to wake, vomits repeatedly, or their symptoms worsen.
Can children have breathing trouble after a concussion? Yes — children can experience anxiety-related breathing symptoms after a head injury, and they need the same prompt evaluation as adults. Bellaire ER treats pediatric emergencies 24/7.
Can you have a concussion without losing consciousness? Yes. Most concussions do not involve any loss of consciousness.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: concussion symptoms, diagnosis, and recovery
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: traumatic brain injury and danger signs after a head injury
- American Academy of Pediatrics: concussions in children and teens
If you or a loved one has hit their head and something doesn’t seem right, don’t wait. Bellaire ER is open 24/7 at 5302 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, TX 77401 — call 713-660-0001, get directions, or book online now.