Concussion Info

A concussion is an injury to the brain that occurs from a direct or indirect force that shakes the brain inside the skull. While most concussion symptoms resolve in several days, there is an increased chance of symptoms being prolonged if appropriate rest and care is not provided in the early stages. Signs and symptoms may include headache, dizziness, feeling foggy, inability to concentrate, sleepiness, irritability, nausea/vomitting, fatigue, feeling slowed down, difficulty remembering, sadness, nervousness, etc.

Symptoms can be very subtle and may not even occur for hours after the trauma, so it is important to closely monitor the athlete and have the athlete rest if there are any questions. Follow up with a healthcare provider trained in concussion management will provide the safest outcome for the athlete.

In a sports environment, it is ESSENTIAL that when there is trauma to the head, or trauma to the body that may shake the head, the athlete should be monitored closely for signs or symptoms. When a concussion is suspected, the individual should be removed from the activity immediately and monitored closely for worsening of symptoms. In most cases, the proper treatment is REST, but if symptoms worsen, the athlete should be referred to the local emergency department. Research has proven that there is no specific threshold of force that will determine if an athlete suffers a concussion after trauma, nor is there a way to predict an exact timeframe before all symptoms will reside and it be safe to return to activity. Every concussion is unique and must be treated individually. Concussion may or may not involve loss of consciousness (LOC).

What to expect if your child-athlete has a concussion.

Can a helmet prevent a concussion?
Helmets are designed to prevent or reduce skull trauma such as skull fractures and sub-dural hematoma. There is no helmet that can prevent a concussion, remember that a concussion can occur by a shaking of the head without any direct contact. Helmets have shown to be successful in reducing skull fractures but must be fitted properly and worn correctly.

Should my child attend school following a concussion?
Physical and Cognitive rest are both essential components of appropriate concussion management. It is recommend that the days immediately following a concussion, the child awaken on their own and assess their demeanor. If they feel "out of it" or "foggy", it would be best to keep them home and resting. If they feel "back to normal", then they may try school, but understand that the additional workload on the brain of a typical school day, there may be a good chance that symptoms will flare up and the child will need to be removed from school and rest at home.