When a concussion is suspected during a sporting event, a coach, athletic trainer, or team physician should immediately perform a 'sideline' evaluation. What are the causes?Ĭommon causes include falls, car or motorcycle crashes, sports injuries, and rapid back-and-forth forces such as shaken baby syndrome or nearby battlefield explosions. Call your primary care doctor if your symptoms worsen or you see no improvement in 2 to 3 weeks. Symptoms can last up to 4 weeks, can fluctuate in intensity, but overall should improve with time.

The symptoms of a brain injury can be subtle or may not be noticed until you return to normal activities. If left undiagnosed, a concussion may place a person at risk of developing second-impact syndrome, a potentially fatal injury that occurs when an athlete sustains a second head injury before a previous head injury has healed.

Go to an emergency room if you or someone with you has suffered a head injury and has lost consciousness, is vomiting, having seizures, or having obvious difficulty with mental function or physical coordination. Grade III: loss of consciousness for more than five minutes or amnesia for more than 24 hours. Grade II: loss of consciousness for less than five minutes or amnesia for between 30 minutes and 24 hours. Grade I: no loss of consciousness amnesia is absent or present for less than 30 minutes. During impact to the head, the soft brain crashes back and forth against the inside of the hard skull causing bruising, bleeding, and tearing of nerve fibers. Also teach your child to play by the rules and to follow his or her coach’s direction.Figure 1. It should be in good condition and fit well. Want to protect your child from a concussion in the first place? Always make sure your child wears the appropriate safety equipment for a sport, such as a helmet. Or schedule periods of rest throughout the day. Let your child start school later in the morning if he or she has trouble sleeping. Or allow your child to have more time to complete assignments and exams. For instance, have them consider limiting your child’s exposure to computer screens, videos, or fluorescent lights.ĭelay major tests or projects until your child is able to fully concentrate and memorize class content. A few minutes rest in a nurse’s office or quiet area may ease the pain.Īsk teachers to help your child with blurred or double vision. Here are some strategies that may work for your child:Īllow your child to take frequent breaks during the school day if headaches persist. Your child may need a gradual transition back to full-time schoolwork. To help your child deal with the mental and emotional effects of a concussion, talk with your child’s healthcare provider and teachers about adequate recovery time. Lapses in memory could strain test taking. For example, headaches or vision problems could make it harder for your child to concentrate. The aftereffects of a concussion may affect how well a child learns. You should also discuss restrictions on school work. Your child’s healthcare provider will likely set a time frame for when your child can return to normal physical activity. Some children may also become depressed, frustrated, or restless. Others continue to have trouble sleeping, thinking, and remembering. Some children report headaches up to 1 month later. But symptoms can last longer than you might expect. Many children recover from a concussion within a few weeks. They may include:Ĭhanges in personality, mood, or behavior, including sadness or irritability And symptoms may not appear for minutes to hours after a blow. Or a sudden bump to the body may jar their brain.Ī concussion doesn’t usually cause a child to lose consciousness.

Most children who suffer one do so while taking part in a sport, such as football or soccer. The symptoms of a concussionĪ concussion is a type of brain injury. These can affect your child’s time in the classroom. But other problems-such as trouble sleeping or thinking-may linger longer. These physical symptoms may fade quickly. Some effects happen right away: headache, dizziness, and loss of balance. Concussion’s Effects Can Spread to the ClassroomĪny blow to your child’s head can cause a concussion.

Concussion after effects