Going back to school often means a return to team sports. When your child participates in sports activities, bumps and bruises are inevitable, but when those blows affect a child’s head, it is important to watch for a possible concussion.
“Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions, are any blow to the head that disrupts normal brain function,” said Brandon Evans, MD, a neurosurgeon at Washington Regional’s Northwest Arkansas Neuroscience Institute. “When allowed to heal properly, concussions are generally not serious, and the child can usually return to playing sports. However, if the brain is not allowed proper time to heal and the child suffers subsequent injury, he or she may suffer permanent brain damage, coma or even death. It is critical to pay attention if your child experiences a hit or jolt to the head during practice or play.”
A bump or hit to the head does not automatically constitute a concussion, Dr. Evans said, but it is important to pay attention to your athlete’s behavior after he or she suffers a blow. He shared this helpful information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Warning signs that parents, caregivers and coaches may notice in the child
• Appears dazed or stunned
• Is confused about assignment or position
• Forgets an instruction
• Is unsure of game, score or opponent
• Moves clumsily
• Answers questions slowly
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows mood, behavior or personality changes
Symptoms that the child may experience
• Headache or “pressure” in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy
• Concentration or memory problems
• Confusion
• Just not “feeling right” or is “feeling down”
Call 911 or take your child to the nearest emergency room if you notice any of the following signs after a blow to the head:
• One pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
• Drowsiness or cannot be awakened
• A headache that gets worse and does not go away
• Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Slurred speech
• Convulsions or seizures
• Difficulty recognizing people or places
• Increasing confusion, restlessness or agitation
• Unusual behavior
• Loss of consciousness (even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously)
“If you think your child may have a concussion, seek immediate medical help,” Dr. Evans said. “A healthcare practitioner can examine your child to determine how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for him or her to resume activities such as sports. If your child has experienced a concussion, he or she should not return to play until the brain is fully healed, to avoid possible re-injury and potential brain damage or even death. Return to play should be gradual, and parents, coaches and the athlete should all watch out for any return or worsening of symptoms.”
According to the CDC, children and teens who return to school after a concussion may need to:
• Take rest breaks as needed
• Spend fewer hours at school
• Be given more time to take tests or complete assignments
• Receive help with schoolwork
• Reduce time spent reading, writing or on the computer
“It is important to talk with your child’s teachers, school nurse, coach, speech-language pathologist or counselor about your child’s concussion and symptoms. Withdraw this extra support gradually as your child’s symptoms decrease,” Dr. Evans said.