It is that time of year again when tailgates, hotdogs, bonfires, and football beckon us every weekend. So, it also means it is that time of year again to remind all athletes, parents and coaches about the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
The best weapon we have is concussion prevention and awareness. I know I have written about it before but there is still so much education to do. It is so important to our children’s developing brains that we do all we can to prevent concussions in the first place. Therefore, I think this bares repeating. All kids should wear properly fitted helmets and other safety gear when playing contact sports, biking, rollerblading, and skateboarding; or any other outdoor activity where speed and force can be an impact.
Unfortunately, kids will be kids and accidents happen. So, it is essential that parents and coaches are able to recognize the common signs and symptoms of a concussion so that children can get prompt treatment and cognitive rest. It is important to monitor children even when they seem to feel okay because a concussion is a moving target and symptoms can sometimes develop hours later. When we miss or dismiss such complaints, we put children at risk for recurrence and more prolonged recovery.
Some of the signs and symptoms of concussions are as follows:
Loss of consciousness
Headache
Blurred vision
Difficulty walking or balance issues
Confusion and slurred speech
Decreased responsiveness
Memory loss
Vomiting
Difficulty concentrating
Mood swings
A concussion is a clinical diagnosis meaning it is often made based on the story you tell your doctor without any further studies. If your child has any of the above symptoms you should contact your pediatrician. They may not always order imaging studies, like a CT scan, depending upon your child’s physical exam. Children usually recover in a week or two following the injury. They should be removed from play or practice immediately to prevent further injury. It is not necessary to wake your child to check for symptoms even in the first 24 hours. Treatment with physical and mental rest will speed up recovery.
If symptoms persist or your pediatrician deems it relevant, you may be seen by a concussion specialist for further treatment such as prolonged rest and physical, occupation, vestibular or speech therapies. We, at the Pediatric Headache Center of Richmond, are able to help coordinate and manage all of the above aspects of treatment for our patients. We cannot prevent every concussion but we can do the best we can to keep our kids safe and minimize serious head trauma.
For more info and to reach out to the Pediatric Headache Center, conveniently located in Richmond.
