When Your Child Has A Concussion

When Your Child Has a Concussion

What is a concussion?

A concussion is an injury to the brain that may not show up on X-rays, MRIs, or CT Scans. When your child has a concussion it is very serious, because it may affect your child’s memory, or the way they think.

You will notice a variety of symptoms when your child has a concussion:

  • Forgetting the time and date
  • General confusion
  • No memory of events before or after the injury
  • Periods of blackout
  • Poor coordination or balance
  • Blank stare or glassy eyes
  • Vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Slow reaction to questions
  • Easily distracted
  • Poor concentration
  • Not playing well

When your child has a concussion they may complain of:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Seeing stars or flashing lights
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Sleepiness
  • Loss of vision
  • seeing double
  • Stomach pain or nausea.

What are some of the ways one can get a concussion?

A blow to the head, face, or neck, or a blow to the body which causes jarring of the head may all lead to a concussion.  Banging heads with another player going for a header in soccer, being checked into the boards in hockey, and helmet to helmet collisions in football are just a few of the examples of sports injuries that could cause concussions, but no sport is safe from the possibility of concussion.

What should you do when your child has a concussion?

The first thing your child should do is stop playing their sport right away. You should not leave your child alone, and your child should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. If your child is knocked out, you should call an ambulance to take your child to the hospital immediately. DO NOT move your child or remove any equipment like a helmet in case there is a serious neck injury. Wait for the paramedics to arrive. Once your child has been cleared of all serious injuries, and the doctor has diagnosed a concussion, your should seek further treatment for the concussion from a medical professional such as a physical therapist until the doctor decides it is safe for your child to return to full sport activity.

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