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| If in doubt, take the child out of the game if hit in the head |
Children of any age who play
sports are at risk for a concussion. Health Briefs takes time to share tips on
how to care for kids with concussions.
Concussions can cause symptoms as
simple as a bad headache and sensitivity to light. But there are more serious complications
to this type of head injury. Statistics show that head-related sports injury
trips to emergency rooms went up 62% in the last decade. Below are the
guidelines for spotting concussion-related symptoms and how to treat them from
a panel of medical experts in the U.S.
and Canada .
Symptoms:
- Physical: headache, nausea, dizziness, changes in vision or hearing, coordination and/or balance problems.
- Cognitive: confusion, slower than normal reaction times, problems concentrating, feeling dazed or in a fog.
- Behavioral: irritability, sadness or emotional swings.
- Sleep: falling asleep or sleeping more or less than usual
Keep an eye on any child in
sports who is hit in the head or on the face or neck. If they appear dizzy,
take them out of the game. Keep watching them for hours after the game is over
as some symptoms can present then. If there is any question, take them to the ER or to medical professional
right away.
Health Briefs TV urges parents whose
child may have a concussion or has been diagnosed with a concussion to take
away digital devices when the child is resting. Eye strain can exasperate the
injury. Follow all of the guidelines for a concussion that the doctor offers.
And be sure the child has as much rest as possible and for as long as the
medical professional feels they need. A healthy child is one who can rejoin the
team without risking a more serious outcome to the head injury later.
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