Concussion education / Southwest Florida

When to Go to the ER After a Head Injury in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Naples

Not sure whether a head injury needs the ER? Danger signs to act on right away in Southwest Florida, and what to do if symptoms linger.

After a head injury, the hardest question is often whether it is serious enough for the ER. In Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples and Port Charlotte, knowing the warning signs can help you make that decision quickly and with confidence.

Roads and risks in Southwest Florida

Between season traffic on I-75 and US-41, dense signals on Colonial Boulevard, long drives on Alligator Alley and rural truck traffic on SR 82 and SR 29, crashes are common in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. Falls during storm cleanup and home repairs add to head injuries in the area. Knowing when to go straight to the ER, and when to follow up with your provider, matters.

Danger signs that mean go now

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for a headache that gets worse and does not go away, repeated vomiting, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, seizures, unusual confusion or agitation, one pupil larger than the other, trouble waking up, or loss of consciousness. These are danger signs the CDC lists.

If you are unsure, it is always okay to go to the ER or call 911. Feeling cautious is never the wrong choice.

Common concussion symptoms

• Physical: headache, nausea, dizziness, balance problems, blurry vision, sensitivity to light or noise.
• Thinking: feeling foggy or slowed down, trouble concentrating or remembering.
• Emotional: irritability, sadness, anxiety.
• Sleep: sleeping more or less than usual.

When to go to the emergency room

Call 911 or go to the nearest ER right away for danger signs such as a headache that gets worse and does not go away, repeated vomiting, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, seizures, unusual confusion, one pupil larger than the other, or loss of consciousness. In the area, hospitals with emergency departments include Lee Health's Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers and NCH Baker Hospital in Naples; in an emergency, go to whichever ER is closest.

Getting checked in Southwest Florida

If symptoms are not severe but are not going away, start with your treating provider, such as your primary care doctor, chiropractor, orthopedist, pain management physician or physical therapist. Keep a short symptom diary to share with them. If they decide objective testing makes sense, they can refer you to Braintree. We are a mobile service: our team brings concussion and TBI testing to your provider's office across Southwest Florida, so you are tested somewhere familiar. Your provider receives a physician-reviewed diagnostic report and decides on your care.

Not sure where to start? Call our help line at 813-709-3771. We can walk you through how testing works and help you think about next steps for getting checked and finding care. You can also read our guide for patients and families.

For local providers

If you treat accident or injury patients in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples and Port Charlotte, Braintree brings mobile concussion and TBI testing to your office and returns a physician-reviewed diagnostic report. You stay in charge of care. We diagnose. You treat. See how it works for providers or send a referral.

For legal teams

Personal injury firms serving Southwest Florida can learn how testing at the client's treating provider's office produces objective, physician-reviewed diagnostic reports. Testing is ordered by the treating provider. See information for attorneys.

Frequently asked questions

Related: Concussion testing in Southwest Florida | Concussion testing in Florida | For patients and families | Call 813-709-3771

Sources

• CDC: About mild TBI and concussion
• CDC HEADS UP: Concussion signs and symptoms
• NIH NINDS: Traumatic Brain Injury

This article is educational and is not medical or legal advice. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.