Concussions : What You Need to Know
Courtesy of Healthcare Associates of Texas
D id you know that emergency rooms in the United States treat over 170,000 concussions annually in children age 19 or younger ? Concussions can result from a variety of sources , including sports and traumatic brain injuries . A concussion can be caused by a bump or blow to the head or when significant force impacts the body ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC ). The quick and sudden shock can cause the brain to bounce or twist inside your skull . This can create chemical imbalances in the brain and damage brain cells , making the brain more sensitive to stress or injury until it is fully recovered .
It is important to make yourself aware of what symptoms to look for because sometimes they may not appear as outwardly as you would expect .
Signs and Symptoms
• Loses consciousness ( even if just for a few seconds )
• Slow to respond to questions
• Appears forgetful or confused
• Moves clumsily ; Dizzy
• Cannot recall recent events before or after impact
• Bothered by light or sound
• Headache or pressure inside the head
• Sleeping more than usual
How to respond if you think someone near you had a concussion :
• Remove the child or athlete from the situation or game or activity
• Document any signs or symptoms you may notice
• Inform the parents of the child or athlete of the injury
• Seek immediate medical attention
• Disclose medications to hospital or doctor that the child or athlete may be taking at the time of the injury
Even if you think the injury was not very severe , and the person injured may present with little or no symptoms , it is still important to get that person examined by a health care professional . A doctor can determine the severity of the injury and inform you if seeing a specialist is necessary . Sometimes , it may be necessary for the patient to stay overnight in the hospital for observation or a CT scan may need to be done to examine if there is any brain swelling or tissue damage .
What does the recovery process look like for someone who has had a concussion ? 1 . Rest – the first few days right after the injury are when the symptoms are most severe 2 . Avoid activities that put your child at risk for another injury to the head
3 . Ensure your child does not participate in strenuous activities until the symptoms are mild or almost completely gone
4 . Full recovery could occur within a couple of weeks , but there have been patients that take a few months or longer to fully recover
5 . Discuss your capability of driving a car or riding a bike with your doctor prior to beginning those activities
The best way to avoid a concussion is to do your best to prevent it . Although it is not completely preventable , and accidents and injuries are unpredictable , the CDC suggests a few prevention methods that should be followed to reduce traumatic brain injury :
• For children under age 2 : use a rear-facing car seat
• For children age 2 – 5 : use a forward-facing car seat
• For children age 5 – 9 : use a booster seat in the back seat until seat belt fits properly ( child should be around 57 ” tall ).
For people of all ages :
• Always wear a seat belt
• Never drive while under the influence of any drugs or alcohol
• Wear a helmet when participating in any highimpact sports or riding a bike , motorcycle or scooter
• Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs when small children are around
• Keep children away from open windows
• Remove trip hazards like rugs or clutter in pathways
• Ensure dark areas of your home are well-lit for walking through them
For more information on concussions , call our office today at ( 972 ) 258-7499 .
Healthcare Associates of Texas provides its patients with a total continuum of care by offering comprehensive family medicine and ancillaries under one roof . For more information , you can visit their website at www . healthcareassociates . com .
( 972 ) 258-7477