Concussions: How to Protect your Child from Brain Trauma

If your child is involved in athletics, you may want to be cautious of the serious impact a mild concussion may have. Read on to learn more about head injuries resulting in concussions and what to do to protect your child from serious brain damage.

Concussions are traumatic head injuries that occur from both mild and severe blows to the head. This rapid movement interrupts the brain’s normal activities. Altogether, 300,000 sport-related concussions occur in the United States each year. Full-contact sports such as football, ice hockey, martial arts and rugby, have always been noted to have serious risk factors for head injury. Now, studies show that even more recreational sports such as soccer, horseback riding, bicycling and skiing also carry a significant risk for concussion. Although some head injuries may seem mild, research now indicates that concussions can have serious long-term effects. Even though symptoms may fade after a week or two, 60% of people who sustain a concussion still encounter neurological problems after the injury.

The symptoms of a concussion can be mild to severe, depending on the severity of the injury. After a concussion, many people lose consciousness for a short time or cannot recall what happened immediately before the injury. Other symptoms include confusion, neck pain, grogginess, dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, blurred or double vision, ringing in the ears, or even mood changes. Some of these symptoms may appear right away, while others may not show until weeks or even months later.

Anyone that may have experienced a concussion should be seen by a professional to determine the severity of the injury. Those who are knocked unconscious should be seen by a physician. A CAT scan or an MRI can be preformed to diagnose the impact of the injury. With a doctor’s permission, Tylenol can be administered for pain. Rest is the primary treatment for anyone who has suffered from a concussion. Also, while healing, activities that could lead to further trauma should be avoided.

A second impact to the head can be lethal if a person has not fully recovered or is still experiencing symptoms from a previous concussion. This is known as second-impact syndrome (SIS). This injury could occur from days to weeks after the first injury. Repeat concussions can seriously worsen long-term outcomes. An athlete is three times more likely to sustain a second concussion if they have previously experienced a brain trauma.

Should you have a concern that your child may have sustained a concussion, please contact one of the physicians at Medical West. The highly trained Emergency Room physicians and nurses are experienced in handling sports related injuries, including concussions. In order to protect your child from further trauma, visiting a physician is imperative. Contact our emergency services directly at 481-7160.