Concussion Awareness Do you know enough to keep your child safe?

Keep your child safe with concussion awareness

How in the know are you when it comes to your child getting a concussion?  Are you aware of the seriousness of an accident that involves a Traumatic Brain Injury?  Almost half a million emergency visits for Traumatic Brain Injury that occur each year are among children aged 0 to 14 years. Here are the facts on concussion awareness. 

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around and twist in the skull. The stretching and damaging of the brain cells creates chemical changes in the brain. What you might not know is that these chemical changes make the brain more vulnerable to further injury. During this window of vulnerability the brain is more sensitive to any increased stress or injury until it has fully recovered. Concussion awareness is the single most important tool adults need to know on the field. 

Symptoms of a concussion

After an incident of potential TBI it is best to sit calmly with the person and watch their symptoms. If the child seems slightly off or doesn’t seem right, it is best to assume they are experiencing a TBI and should seek medical attention. 

• Headache
• Sensitivity to light and/or noise
• confusion
• fatigue 
• foggy 
• pressure in head
• nausea/vomiting
• blurred vision 
• can’t remember or concentrate 
• nervous 
• anxious 
• emotional 
• pain in neck or head 
• dizzy 
• unable to gain balance 

Children and teens are more likely to get a concussion or TBI than adults. 

If you believe a child is a victim of a concussion follow these concussion awareness rules:

• Keep child out of play. If your child or teen has a concussion, her/his brain needs time to heal. Don’t let them return to play the day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussions, says he or she is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first—usually within a short period of time (hours, days, or weeks)—can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in edema (brain swelling), permanent brain damage, and even death.
• Seek medical attention right away. A health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your child or teen to return to sports.
• Rest is key after a concussion. Sometimes athletes wrongly believe that it shows strength and courage to play injured. Discourage others from pressuring injured athletes to play. Don’t let your child or teen convince you that s/he’s “just fine.”
• Tell all of your child’s teachers, coaches, and school nurse about ANY concussion. Coaches, school nurses, and other school staff should know if your child or teen has ever had a concussion. Your child or teen may need to limit activities while s/he is recovering from a concussion. Things such as studying, driving, working on a computer, playing video games, or exercising may cause concussion symptoms to reappear or get worse. If needed, they can adjust your child’s school activities during her/his recovery.

Keep your children safe before a concussion even occurs.  

1. Fields are not a place to have children and adults not paying attention.  Always listen for signs that a ball has left the playing field. A baseball field for example can become a very dangerous place. Pop flies, foul balls, home runs and even a game of catch are all dangerous for a child who is not paying attention. Find a safe spot where supervision is happening so that small children can safely play while other sports are happening.
2. Wearing the proper safety equipment at all times. Helmets when riding a bike, skate boarding, playing football, etc…
3. Playing outside without supervision is key for disaster. Keep your kids safe and stay in eyesight of children. With older ones that don’t need as much supervision, keep a door or window open to listen for any potential emergencies.
4. Any physical activity requires the up most caution and  respect for the activity. 
5. Communicate with your kids that they need to call an adult for help immediately after any accident.