The risk of kids and teens getting a concussion increases as they head to the playing fields to participate in recreational and school sports at the start of a new school year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 65 percent of sports- and recreation-related concussions seen in the emergency room are in children ages 5 to 18 years.
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury caused by a rapid movement of the brain within the skull. Concussions are often the result of a direct hit to the head and result from any blow to the neck, face, or body that causes a rotational force on the brain.
Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion
A majority of concussions do not coincide with the loss of consciousness, and often it can be challenging to determine whether an injury resulted in a concussion or not.
Symptoms of a concussion may appear immediately or take a few days to appear. The symptoms may change throughout the course of the injury and can worsen during times of stress. A concussion may cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Headache
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Lack of awareness
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Poor attention and concentration
- Fatigue
- Double or blurred vision
- Irritability
- Sensitive to light or noise
- Memory problems
- Sleep problems
Steps to Take If You Suspect Your Child Suffered a Concussion
If you suspect your child has sustained a concussion, the CDC advises that you know your concussion ABCs:
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Assess the situation
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Be alert for signs and symptoms
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Contact a healthcare provider with experience in treating concussions
A concussion can take anywhere from one week to months to recover, and your healthcare provider will determine your child’s treatment plan.
Concussion Prevention
Speak with your daughter or son regarding proper safety precautions surrounding concussion prevention. If your child plays a contact sport, make sure they always know to wear a helmet and that it is secure and fitted correctly.
Lastly, try to encourage your child to be more aware of possible injuries and familiar with the signs of concussions if they do suffer a head injury.
