What if My Child Gets a Concussion During Game Day?

What if My Child Gets a Concussion During Game Day?

The brain is soft, cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull — but a fall or collision can make the brain bang against the skull, causing a concussion. In sports, people typically think of football as the prime sport where concussion is common. However, a study by Henry Ford Health System confirms that most sports come with a risk of concussion in young athletes. While football accounted for 27.7% of concussions, hockey, soccer, basketball, and even cheerleading also resulted in brain trauma. Experts add that there is also a risk for concussions in non-contact sports like golf and swimming, so every parent needs to be prepared for any scenario. Below are a few things to watch out for and what to do if they have a concussion.

Symptoms

• Headache

This is the most common symptom of a concussion. While the type of headache may vary, concussion headaches are typically tension headaches or described as having a feeling of tightness/pressure in the head. People can also describe a concussion headache as feeling like their head is blowing up like a balloon or that a clamp is tightening around their head.

• Sleep problems

Sleep problems due to a concussion can be either insomnia (trouble falling/staying asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness). Insomnia can cause sleep deprivation, which can affect overall health in growing children. This can result in problems with thinking, concentrating, and remembering, not to mention that it can make them moody. Sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system as well, making kids more likely to get sick.

Meanwhile concussion can also cause the opposite, and hypersomnia can cause further health problems in your child as well. The health advice on SymptomFind helps people understand common health problems, and covers excessive sleepiness in one of their articles. They note that this can lead to weight loss due to a loss of appetite, cognitive issues such as memory loss and inability to focus, and even anxiety. Hypersomnia can be disruptive and even dangerous, as they may fall asleep anywhere, even while crossing the street.

• Sensitivity to light and noise

A concussion can injure the nerves or bruise specific parts of the brain, which may cause sensitivity to light and/or noise. Your child may get headaches from exposure to bright lights or noise. Having this symptom can make it hard for them to go through their day as the brain is having difficulty processing these sensory signals.

What to do if you suspect a concussion

• Let your child rest
  
  Rest from physical activities is a given to let your child’s brain heal, while also keeping them safe while they’re experiencing symptoms. Mental rest is important too — mental activities require the brain to process information, which can be difficult for someone with a concussion. As mentioned in '5 Misconceptions About Concussion’, the recommended rest period is one to two days. Some light exercising afterwards can actually help recovery. If symptoms don’t return or worsen after the recommended recovery period, allow your child to go back to their normal routine slowly.

• Consult a doctor
  
  Going to a doctor is the first thing you should do if the signs of a concussion are serious, such as convulsions and numbness in the face or extremities. You should also consult a doctor if mild symptoms are not improving. For example, if headaches persist for weeks to months, Connecticut Magazine explains that it's a telltale signof a post-concussion syndrome. Headaches are one of the symptoms that may make it difficult for a child to live their life normally, on top of sleep disturbances and decreased cognitive functioning. But if your child already seems better, you can still also consult a doctor to ask if a certain activity, like sport, is already safe for them.
  
  Even the most common athlete is at risk of getting a concussion, especially if they’re in a contact sport like football. A Head Impact Indicator can be a helpfuland life-saving accessory, as it can warn people if the head gear has been hit with significant force. That said, it’s important to make sure that they always have their protective gear to avoid getting hurt in the first place.
  
  For more information on protecting your child against head injuries, check out Tozuda on a regular basis.

Article specially written for tozuda.com

By Alicia Garnett

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