There has been a significant amount of research in recent years related to the impact of concussions on young athletes, how best to treat them, and how to lessen the effects of these head injuries.

Even so, doctors say diagnosing and treating young patients, and knowing how long it will take for them to feel “normal” again, is still an unpredictable process. There isn’t a single tool or scale that can be used on its own to diagnose a concussion, and symptoms may not always appear just after an injury. Different tests are required for physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning.

A concussion is defined as a type of traumatic brain injury that causes the brain to twist in the skull, injuring neurons by stretching, resulting in chemical changes in the brain.

A concussion is defined as a change in how you feel or function after the force is transmitted to the head. It does not have to be associated with a loss of consciousness.

The brain is soft. The body protects it by cushioning it in cerebrospinal fluid inside a hard skull. Because the brain floats in the fluid, it can move around and even bang against the skull.

A concussion occurs when you get a direct blow to the head. There are lots of ways concussions can happen in sports, such as a knock from a ball, another player, or a fall on the sports field. Off the sports field, a concussion can also be caused by your head slamming onto the dashboard in a car accident, or by something falling on you or during a fight. A concussion can also occur indirectly when you receive a blow to your chest/back.

A fall or collision that makes the brain bang against the skull can lead to bruising in the brain. It also can tear blood vessels and injure nerves. These injuries cause a concussion- a temporary loss of normal brain function.

Start With the Right Equipment

Everyone should wear properly fitting, sport-appropriate headgear and safety equipment when playing contact sports or mountain/road biking, rollerblading, and skateboarding. You can't prevent every concussion. But helmets, mouthguards, and other safety gear can reduce the risk of a brain injury. Also, check the equipment regularly and ensure it is well maintained.

Play it Safe

Headgear is your first line of defense. However, you can still get a concussion because helmets don't stop injury from happening on the inside. If you hit your head, your brain can still bang against your skull, even if you're wearing a helmet. Don't take chances because you think your headgear protects you, always get assessed after a fall/collision.

Play by the Rules

Preventing injury is one of the reasons why there are rules in sports. Make sure you encourage good sportsmanship and following of the rules to keep all participants safe.

Teach Good Technique

The right technique and developing skills to avoid dangerous plays can reduce the chance of concussion and make all kinds of injuries less likely to happen.

Firstly, your child should be monitored for any worsening signs and symptoms in the 24 to 48 hours following the injury. If any of the following danger signs present themselves, your child should be evaluated by a physician immediately.

Severe or increased headache
Double vision
Unequal pupils
Convulsions
Unusual/increased drowsiness
Bleeding/clear fluid from the ear/nose
Projectile or repeated vomiting Unusual stiffness in the neck area
Severe personality changes
Weakness in either arm(s) or leg(s)
Numbness in the face/extremities

Secondly, follow these recommendations:

Do not let your child perform any strenuous activity or go back to playing sports.
Do not use aspirin or ibuprofen for headaches for the first 48 hours. Use acetaminophen only.
Encourage your child to rest and eat a light diet.
Allow them to use ice packs on the head and/or neck to ease the pain.
Let them sleep in a cool, dark, quiet room.

Thirdly, arrange for your child to be evaluated by a medical professional qualified and educated in concussion evaluation and management, such as a sports medicine physician. Knowledge about concussions is rapidly evolving.

A concussion and its recovery can affect many areas of your child’s life including school, work, and sports. Along with parents, coaches, and teachers, the child’s school nurse, employer, and other school administrators, such as a guidance counselor, should be aware of the child’s injury and their roles in helping the child recover. Clear communication among the group is vital to avoid any confusion and unnecessary distress for your child.

What is the Healing/Recovery Time for your child after a concussion?

Each concussion injury is unique. The recovery time will differ from person to person and so your child needs to be treated according to their symptoms.

Why is mental rest important to recovery?

A concussion affects how the brain works, so resting the brain as much as possible is necessary for recovery. In this context, mental activities are defined as those in which the brain must work hard to process information. This includes critical thinking and problem-solving activities such as schoolwork, homework, and technology use.

Computer work/Internet use
Video games
Television
Text messaging/cell phone use
Bright lights, such as strobe lights at school dances
Listening to loud music or music through headphones
Loud noises
Parties, concerts etc.
Driving Work

How is school affected by a concussion?

Schoolwork demands focus, memory, and concentration – all brain processes that are affected by a concussion. Academic accommodations, ranging from medically necessary absences to tutoring or extra time for test taking, may be necessary in some cases to decrease symptoms and begin the healing process. Notify your child’s teachers that he or she has sustained a concussion and provide them with any written recommendations you were given during your visit to your healthcare professional.

CONCUSSION IN SPORTING KIDS

06.06.22

What does the Brain do?

How does a Concussion happen?

How Can We Prevent a Sports Concussion?

There are a few things you can do to decrease your child’s/athlete’s chances of getting a concussion.

Concussion Management

If your child sustains a concussion, what should you do?

Concussion Recovery

Concussion recovery should be a collaborative approach

What can you do to help your child achieve mental rest?

Consider restricting or limiting the following activities as they can increase brain function, worsen symptoms & delay healing:

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