HOW TO HANDLE A CONCUSSION
It’s that time of year again for fall school sports to begin. The start of fall sports also brings about the chance that your son or daughter may suffer a concussion during the season. Concussions are an injury to the brain usually caused by a forced blow to the head, which causes a loss of mental function. This type of injury can be very serious if it is not recognized and treated promptly. The following are some signs and symptoms to look for if you suspect that your child maybe suffering from a concussion.
- Loss of consciousness or decreasing level of consciousness
- Amnesia that persists longer than 15 minutes
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Change in behavior or mental status (confused or agitated)
- Unequal, dilated, or unreactive pupils
- Loss of balance
- Headache
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Ringing in ears
Some of these symptoms may not show immediately or the symptoms may progressively get worse after the injury. If your child does develop any of these symptoms during or after a sporting event, they need to be evaluated by the school’s athletic trainer or a physician. Concussions need to be recognized and diagnosed promptly to prevent the chance of a second impact, which occurs before the first concussion symptoms have subsided. This can make the symptoms worse and recovery even longer.
Many of the local high schools now offer Impact (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing), which helps athletic trainers and physicians determine if your child is suffering from a concussion. Impact is a computerized test that is given to athletes before practices and competitions begin. If a concussion is suspected during the season, the athlete is retested. The results are then compared to their pre-test (baseline) for any changes. Impact is a great assessment tool to determine a safe return to play date for the injured athlete. If you would like further information on concussions and Impact please go to www.impacttest.com. |