What Parents and Athletes Need to Know About Concussions

What Parents and Athletes Need to Know About Concussions

When playing sports you are bound to get a few bumps and bruises. What you might not think or be worried about happening is getting a concussion. Getting a concussion is also the something that you should take very seriously as we are learning from recent studies done at the University of Ottawa. With the largest study to date, the findings found that a simple 12-point tool to help doctors and researchers determine which children and adolescents are at the highest risk for persistent post-concussion symptoms. The study also found that boys are prone to getting more concussions, however, girls are at higher risk for longer lasting symptoms.

What Are The Effects Of A Concussion?

Concussions can create very serious problems and can have devastating effects if they’re not managed properly. The days of only rest and return to play are long gone! This is a step in the right direction for a future of greater understanding of concussions in school and sports. Recently, the province of Ontario introduced the country’s concussion bill in honour of a rugby player who passed away after suffering from several concussions.

A concussion may be caused by a blow, bump or sudden shock to the head. It may also be caused by any fall or hit that jars the brain. This invisible injury disrupts the way the brain works by decreasing mental stamina as the brain must work longer and harder even to complete simplest of tasks. Concussions may involve loss of consciousness, but in the majority of concussions, loss of consciousness does not occur. Concussion Symptoms and Signs to Watch For:

Physical Symptoms Include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Fatigue or Low Energy
  • Sleep Disturbances
  • Vision Changes-Double or Blurred
  • Tinnitus
  • Dizziness or balance problems
  • Sensitivity to Light/Noise

Mental Symptoms:

  • Slowed Thinking or Confusion
  • Fogginess
  • Slowed Reaction Times
  • Impaired Judgment or Attention
  • Easily Distracted
  • Impaired Learning and Memory
  • Problem-Solving Difficulties

Emotional Symptoms:

  • Frustration
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Personality Changes

Concussion Danger Signs

In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot may form on the brain in a person with a concussion and crowd the brain against the skull. If a patient has any of the following symptoms and/or symptoms worsen: one pupil larger than the other, worsening headaches, seizures, neck pain, unusual behavior change, increased drowsiness, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, problems recognizing people or places, increased confusion, weakness or numbness in arms or legs, or if the patient can’t be awakened or is less responsive than usual, the patient should be seen in an emergency department right away

Preventative Measures

Baseline concussion testing is like having insurance. These baseline tests are taken prior to a sports season. In the event of a concussion, the same test is taken again by the athlete, which allows us to compare scores from before and after the injury. The baseline tests measures the range of motion, visual coordination, balance, reaction time, memory capacity, brain function, and more!

Each concussion is unique, and whenever possible, we want to compare apples to apples (or peaches to peaches)! Baseline concussion testing guides us in the rehabilitation process and helps us determine when it’s safe for you to get back on the field!

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