5 Signs Your Child Has Suffered A Concussion

 

Concussions are serious injuries that can happen to anyone. It is important for parents to be aware of these because they could save their child’s life or help them recover more quickly from such an injury!

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head. It causes temporary changes in how the brain functions. There are many misconceptions about concussions and what needs to happen after one has occurred. The following are five signs your child may have suffered a concussion:

      1. Headache
      2. Nausea and Vomiting
      3. Extreme Drowsiness and Fatigue
      4. Convulsions and Seizures
      5. Loss of Balance

After a concussion, children should take at least 2 days off from both physical and mental activity. Symptoms will likely improve with time; however if symptoms worsen or fail to show signs of improvement after several weeks, it is important for the patient to contact their primary care physician as soon as possible. Seeking primary care will:

      • Support a child’s recovery
      • Help a child get back on track quickly and safely
      • Decrease chance of long-term injury

After a concussion, kids may require classroom modifications such as a reduced course load or a shorter school day. They should take breaks from any activities that cause symptoms like headaches to improve and then can gradually build up the activity for longer periods of time until they return back to normal. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is not to rush this process since rushing could lead them right back where they started with more serious consequences at hand if done repeatedly without proper guidance by an adult in their lives. To care for children who suffered from a concussion we must keep in mind the following:

      • If your child has a concussion, they may need more rest and should take it easy
      • The symptoms of a concussion can be much worse when done repeatedly because the brain can get used to intense activity
      • It is hard for kids to listen to their bodies so make sure you are taking care of them!

When a child is suffering from the effects of concussion and receives another head injury, they may encounter issues with recovery or prolonged symptoms. When this happens right after one concussion has begun to recover, it can result in things getting worse before they get better. As parents, it is our duty to care for our kids to:

      • Prevent prolonged symptoms
      • Ensure they feel better in a shorter amount of time

Sometimes, a concussion can be an indication of more serious damage to the brain. When this happens there is bleeding in or around the brain that puts strain on it and might even lead to death. Aside from the symptoms mentioned at the start of this article, seek medical help right away if your child develops any of the following signs or symptoms after a head injury.

        • Agitation, perplexity, or restlessness
        • Unable to identify persons or places
        • Fainting
        • One pupil is much bigger than the other
        • Difficulty speaking
        • Extreme sleepiness or the inability to wake up
        • Unexplained crying

Concussions are serious injuries that can happen to anyone. They often go unnoticed and untreated, but they can have severe consequences if not treated correctly. It is important for parents to be aware of these because a concussion could save their child’s life. If you think your loved one may have suffered a concussion, call us today! We would love the opportunity to provide information about the symptoms and treatment options after experiencing this type of brain trauma so we can ensure everyone has access to all available resources when it comes to concussions.


How are Head Pain and Injuries or Concussion Diagnosed - Stephen S. Chen, MD


Are You Looking for a Physician Specializing in Sports Concussions? 

Dr. Chen sees patients at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine in Walnut Creek, California. He is a board-certified Pediatrician and Sports Medicine Doctor that specializes in the non-operative medical treatment of a wide variety of various musculoskeletal conditions.  Dr. Chen graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine and went on to complete Pediatric residency training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey (Rutgers), then went on to fellowship training in Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, one of the perennially top-ranked children’s hospitals in the nation. There he provided sideline coverage for NCAA Division I athletics at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University (OH). Since graduating, Dr. Chen has continued his love of sports coverage by volunteering for the San Francisco Marathon, the San Francisco Giant Race, and as the team physician for Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. Being a part of The Center for Sports Medicine allows Dr. Chen quick access to a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, physiatrists, and physical therapists to return you to your highest functional level quickly and safely. Click here to contact us for your next appointment!

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