From high school athletes who took a gnarly fall under the Friday night lights to first-time skiers who whacked their head on the ground or hit a tree, head injuries are common in Colorado’s High Country. 

Accidents that lead to traumatic brain injuries can happen anywhere, anytime — even while walking to your car in an icy parking lot — so it is important to know when to see a doctor and seek medical care.

As a family practice physician at Middle Park Health’s campus in Granby, Dr. Todd Odegaard said he sees five to 10 concussion patients a month. He said head injuries can be very serious, even if there doesn’t appear to be any external damage. 

Here are some situations where you should visit a medical provider as soon as possible after you or someone you know hits their head, according to Dr. Odegaard:

• A dent in the head
• A loss of consciousness for any period of time
• Cognitive dysfunction, such as difficulty with memory
• Prolonged headaches
• Bleeding
• Trouble with balance 

If any of these symptoms seem to worsen over time, Dr. Odegaard encourages that person to seek medical care as soon as possible.

“We’re not trying to scare anybody — just trying to give them realistic information,” Odegaard said.

The Cleveland Clinic recommends people go to the emergency room or call 911 if they notice any of these symptoms:

• Severe headaches that are getting worse
• Seizures 
• Loss of consciousness 
• Dizziness, loss of balance or trouble walking 
• Vomiting more than once
• Severe confusion 
• Clear, watery discharge from your nose or ears
• Bleeding from your ears
• Numbness, weakness or tingling in your arms or legs.
• Slurred speech
• One pupil that is bigger than the other