Get your head in the game

Concussions can occur on or off the field — learn what to watch for in children.

The term concussion gets tossed around frequently in reference to kids’ sports, but many parents might not understand the complexity or the effects. In short, a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by an impact to the head or body. However, not everyone who suffers a blow to the head or body gets a concussion.

When you think about the sports in which children and teens might suffer from a concussion, football is likely at the top of your list. And while it tops the list, the second most common athletics for concussion is girls’ soccer, which may be surprising as a non-contact sport. The fact is, whether in organized sports, on the playground or at home, concussions can be a real risk in even the most ordinary situations.

A concussion is usually accompanied by immediate symptoms that alone might not cause alarm, but in total following a fall or impact injury, could indicate a more serious condition. Common signs and symptoms of a concussion include headache, nausea or vomiting, drowsiness, ringing in the ears and blurry vision.

A person with a concussion may not lose consciousness at all. Some concussion symptoms might be delayed as well, and can include personality changes, trouble sleeping or changes in taste and smell.

Young children might not be able to describe their symptoms, so parents should watch for changes in behavior that can indicate pain or upset, such as:

• Vomiting

• Irritability

• Looking or seeming dazed

• Being listless or easily tired

• Trouble with balance

• Crying for a long period of time

• Lack of interest in toys or activities

• Changes to eating or sleeping habits

  
  

Seek emergency care if serious symptoms arise, such as:

• Repeated vomiting or nausea

• Loss of consciousness

• Confusion or changes in behavior or mood

• Any symptom (headache, dizziness, weakness, etc.) that gets progressively worse or does not go away

• Fluid draining from the nose or ears

• Changes in vision or speech

• Seizures

Concussions in youth sports may be declining, but they are still serious. These days, most coaches and other adults who work with youth have training in identifying concussion symptoms at the time of incident. There are protocols in place to test kids on the sidelines if a coach suspects they may have suffered a concussion-causing injury, and sports equipment is optimized to reduce these events.

When it comes to brain health, it’s often best to be safe than sorry. If your child or teen suffers an injury to the head or body that you suspect may lead to concussion, consult your health care provider immediately.

It’s not always sports

The potential for concussion is not unique to the playing field. Falls at home or other playground incidents can also cause these types of injuries and can be prevented or reduced by making your child’s environment a safer one:

• Always wear seatbelts

• Wear helmets when biking, skiing, skateboarding or participating in other individual sports

• Reduce fall hazards in your home by keeping floors clear

• Block off staircases and other unsafe areas for younger children

  
  

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Brought to you by: santiamhospital.org