Bumps and falls are a normal part of life, and most of us have had at least one involving the head that's left us wondering whether we should be worried about the impact.

So when does a head injury warrant medical attention? And if it is a concussion, what should you expect as you recover?

"When a blow to the head causes the brain to move or twist within the skull, it can lead to a concussion — a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that temporarily disrupts normal brain function," explains Dr. Kenneth Podell, a neuropsychologist and the director of the Houston Methodist Concussion Center. "And it's not just the brain we worry about. Concussions are multi-system injuries that can affect everything from the spine, balance and vision to mood and sleep."

Recognizing the signs of concussion

Contrary to popular belief, most concussions don't involve a loss of consciousness. The most common symptom is headache, which occurs in 80% of people who experience a concussion. (Related: How to Know If You Have a Concussion)

"There are many other symptoms a person might experience," adds Dr. Podell. "And they can appear right after the injury or develop very soon after."

Concussion symptoms are grouped into four main categories:

• Thinking and Remembering: Trouble thinking clearly, difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally sluggish
• Physical: Headaches, nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound or vision issues
• Emotions and Mood: Irritability, sadness or nervousness
• Fatigue and Sleep: Feeling tired or drowsy and difficulty falling asleep or sleeping more or less than usual

It's important to monitor for these symptoms after any impact to the head.

"A common misconception is that the severity of impact dictates how serious a head injury might be, but this isn't always true," says Dr. Podell. "When it comes to concussion, the really critical factor is how much and how quickly the head twists. Even a minor blow can cause a concussion if it forces the head to turn rapidly — even just 20 degrees."

If you're unsure whether you have a concussion, Dr. Podell says it's always best to be evaluated. This not only helps confirm or rule out a concussion but also ensures the injury isn't more severe, potentially even life-threatening.

Concussion recovery and the "vulnerability window"

Headaches, dizziness, brain fog and other concussion symptoms typically improve within a few weeks — but recovery time can vary.

"I might say two weeks, or I might say a month, but it's not uncommon for it to take a few weeks or more to fully recover," explains Dr. Podell.

Some estimates suggest that 20%-50% of people continue to experience symptoms for three to nine months. Recovery length is influenced by several factors like age, the symptom severity and whether there's a history of head injury, anxiety or depression.

"Nobody recovers from a concussion as quickly as they want to," adds Dr. Podell. "But it's important to remember that your brain is working to metabolically and physically repair itself, and that takes time."

One of the most critical aspects of recovery is to ensure the brain is fully healed before resuming activities. This doesn't mean sitting in a dark room doing nothing. In fact, a gradual return to physical and mental activities is the best way to recover. Think of it as the Goldilocks approach — not too much, but also not too little.

"There's a period called the 'window of vulnerability,' where the brain is more susceptible to a second concussion," warns Dr. Podell. "Experiencing another concussion during this window isn't just additive — the effects can be exponential."

For athletes, this means they must follow a strict, step-by-step concussion protocol that typically starts with light aerobic exercise and gradually increases to more intense training up until contact, once symptoms subside.

How concussion treatment speeds recovery

Even though concussions are classified as a type of mild brain injury, they should be taken seriously. While most people recover on their own with time, Dr. Podell emphasizes that treatment can often speed up concussion recovery.

"Concussions affect multiple parts of the body," says Dr. Podell. "Once we understand the symptoms — whether they're related to vision, balance, mood, sleep or all of these — we can initiate specific treatments, often home exercises, to improve and shorten recovery."

For instance, balance and head movement exercises can help alleviate dizziness, while targeted treatments for the neck and medications can be prescribed for headaches and other symptoms.

"Yes, you'll eventually recover on your own," Dr. Podell adds. "But with the right treatments, we can help you recover faster and more efficiently."