What is it?
A concussion is an injury to the brain that disrupts normal brain functioning. This disruption can be temporary or permanent. Concussions occur most often during contact sports but can also be caused by anything that comes in contact with the head, such as balls, the ground or a fall from a bike. All concussions are serious and should be evaluated by a doctor and children should not return to sports or physical activity until evaluated.
What are the symptoms?
Many children who get a concussion do not lose consciousness. There are many signs and symptoms of a concussion and your child may have only a few or many. If your child did lose consciousness it is very important to let the doctor know at the time of the evaluation.
Physical signs:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Balance problems
- Fatigue
- Visual problems
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Dazed
- Stunned
Cognitive Signs:
- Feeling mentally "foggy"
- Feeling slowed down
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty remembering
- Forgetting recent information
- Confused about recent events
- Answers questions slowly
- Repeats questions
Emotional Signs:
- Irritability
- Sadness
- More emotional than usual
- Nervousness
Sleep Signs:
- Drowsiness
- Sleeping more
- Sleeping less
- Difficulty falling asleep
When do I call the office?
- Anytime your child suffers an injury to the head and is displaying any of the above symptoms, your child should be seen in the office