Does my child have a concussion?
A concussion is an injury to the brain that may be caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head. Concussions may also happen after a fall or hit that jars the brain. A blow elsewhere on the body can cause a concussion, even if an athlete does not hit his or her head directly. Concussions can range from mild to severe, and athletes can get a concussion even if they are wearing a helmet.
Athletes do not have to be "knocked out" to have a concussion. In fact, less than one out of 10 concussions results in loss of consciousness. Concussion symptoms can develop right away, or up to 48 hours after the injury. Ignoring any signs or symptoms of a concussion puts your child's health at risk!
Signs observed by parents:
* Appears dazed or stunned
* Confused about assignment or position
* Forgets plays, score or opponent
* Moves clumsily
* Answers questions slowly
* Loses consciousness (even briefly)
* Shows behavior or personality changes (irritability, sadness, nervousness, feeling more emotional).
* Can't recall events before or after hit or fall
Symptoms reported by athletes:
* Headache or "pressure" in head
* Nausea or vomiting
* Balance problems or dizziness
* Double or blurry vision
* Sensitivity to light and/or noise
* Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy
* Concentration or memory problems
* Does not "feel right"
* Trouble falling asleep
* Sleeping more or less than usual
Your child must be honest
* Encourage your athlete to be honest with you, their coach and your health care provider about their symptoms. Many young athletes get caught up in the moment and/or feel pressured to return to sports before they are ready. It is better to miss one game than the entire season - or risk permanent damage!
* No athlete should return to activity on the same day they get a concussion.
* Athletes should NEVER return to practices/games if they still have ANY symptoms.
* Parents and coaches should never pressure any athlete to return to play.
The dangers of returning too soon
Returning to play too early may cause Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) or Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS). SIS occurs when a second blow to the head happens before an athlete has completely recovered from a concussion. This second impact causes the brain to swell, possibly resulting in brain damage, paralysis, and even death. PCS can occur after a second impact and can result in permanent, long-term concussion symptoms. The risk of SIS and PCS is the reason that no athlete should be allowed to participate in any physical activity before they are cleared by a qualified health care professional.
During the recovery time after a concussion, physical and mental rest are required. A concussion upsets the way the brain normally works, and causes it to work longer and harder to complete even simple tasks. Activities that require concentration and focus may make symptoms worse and cause the brain to heal slower. Studies show that children's brains take several weeks to heal following a concussion.
Dr. Wayne Fichter, D.C., is the lead doctor at Natural Spine Solutions, with more than 15 years of experience treating families. He also has been the lead doctor in handling serious neck and back problems through non-surgical spinal decompression. Call (208) 966-4425 for all of your spinal and wellness needs.