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7 Things You Need to Know About Concussions

When I was a child, nobody took concussions as seriously as we take them today. That changed when former NFL player Mike Webster died at age 50. His autopsy revealed serious brain damage caused by continual hits to the head throughout a long football career. Since then, more and more NFL players have been found to have the same cognitive impairment and it has brought light to the dangers of concussions.

We all want to keep our kids healthy and safe when they play sports or even when they are horsing around and get hit in the head. Here are 7 things you need to know to protect your children.

1. You can have a concussion without losing consciousness.

The confusion that follows a concussion can occur with or without loss of consciousness. Most sports-related concussions occur without loss of consciousness and often go unrecognized. After a head injury, your child should sit out and see a doctor if there are any symptoms of a concussion.

2. There are several symptoms of a concussion.

Symptoms of concussions include confusion, headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nausea, slurred speech, and fatigue. Aside from slurred speech, none of these symptoms look too scary on their own and are even expected after a hard hit to the head. It is important to watch for a combination of these symptoms and see if they linger. Amnesia is present in more serious concussions.

3. Some symptoms show up later.

Aside from the symptoms listed above, several others may show up later. These symptoms include irritability, memory problems, and even depression. It is important to take a break from activity and allow the brain to heal.

4. It takes time for the brain to heal.

Following a concussion, it is crucial to let your child’s brain rest and give it time to heal in order to prevent lasting damage. Limit physical and mental exertion until symptoms have resolved. Activities such as schoolwork, playing video games, and even watching TV can make symptoms worse.

5. It’s important to see a doctor.

If symptoms persist, consult a doctor. If you’re having memory trouble since the concussion, visit your doctor right away. Some states are now requiring a doctor’s release for athletes to play again after getting a concussion.

6. Some athletes are at greater risk.

The two sports with the most concussions are football and ice hockey. Non-organized physical activities with large numbers of concussions include snow skiing, bicycling, and playing on playgrounds. Research has shown that girls have a higher rate of concussions than boys, but the reason is unclear.

7. Concussions are serious.

If the brain does not heal properly, if the concussion is too severe, or if multiple concussions occur, there can be serious consequences. Victims may experience epilepsy, vertigo, personality changes, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and even death. Brain injuries should not be handled lightly.

Bonus:

A physician at the University of North Carolina has teamed up with other head-trauma researchers to develop an app that helps determine whether someone may have suffered a concussion.

Does the risk of head injury make you more hesitant to let your kids play football or other sports?

Medical information within this site is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of any health condition. Please consult a licensed health care professional for the treatment or diagnosis of any medical condition.

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