WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is a concussion? A concussion is a mild brain injury. It is usually caused by a bump or blow to your child's head from a fall, a motor vehicle crash, or a sports injury. Your child may also get a concussion from being shaken forcefully. What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion? Your child may have symptoms right away, or days after his concussion. Your child may have any of the following symptoms: - A mild to moderate headache
- Drowsiness, dizziness, or loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- A change in mood (restless, sad, or irritable)
- Trouble thinking, remembering things, or concentrating
- Ringing in the ears
- Short-term loss of newly learned skills, such as toilet training
- Changes in sleeping pattern or fatigue
How is a concussion diagnosed? Your child's healthcare provider will ask how your child was injured, and what his symptoms are. His healthcare provider will also examine him. Your child may need any of the following: - A neurologic exam is also called neuro signs, neuro checks, or neuro status. A neurologic exam can show healthcare providers how well your child's brain works after his injury. Healthcare providers will check how your child's pupils (black dots in the center of each eye) react to light. They may check his memory and how easily he wakes up. Your child's hand grasp and balance may also be tested.
- A CT or MRI of your child's head may be done. Your child may be given contrast liquid to help the pictures show up better. Tell the healthcare provider if your child has ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. He should not enter the MRI room with anything metal. Metal can cause serious injury. Tell the healthcare provider if your child has any metal in or on his body, including braces or other dental devices.
How is a concussion managed? Although your child needs to be seen by his healthcare provider, usually no treatment is needed. Concussion symptoms usually go away within about 10 days. The following may be recommended to manage your child's symptoms: - Watch your child closely for the first 24 to 72 hours after his injury. Contact your child's healthcare provider if his symptoms get worse, or he develops new symptoms.
- Have your child rest from physical and mental activities as directed. Mental activities are those that require thinking, concentration, and attention. This includes school, homework, video games, computers, and television. Rest will help your child to recover from his concussion. Ask your child's healthcare provider when he can return to school and other daily activities.
- Do not allow your child to participate in sports and physical activities until his healthcare provider says it is okay. These activities could make your child's symptoms worse or lead to another concussion. Your child's healthcare provider will tell you when it is okay for him to return to sports or physical activities.
- Acetaminophen helps to decrease pain. It is available without a doctor's order. Ask how much your child should take and how often he should take it. Follow directions. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if not taken correctly.
- NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling and pain. This medicine is available with or without a doctor's order. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If your child takes blood thinner medicine, always ask if NSAIDs are safe for him. Always read the medicine label and follow directions. Do not give these medicines to children under 6 months of age without direction from your child's healthcare provider.
How can I help my child prevent another concussion? - Make your home safe for your child. Home safety measures can help prevent head injuries that could lead to a concussion. Put self-latching gates at the bottoms and tops of stairs. Screw the gate to the wall at the tops of stairs. Install handrails for every staircase. Put soft bumpers on furniture edges and corners. Secure furniture, such as dressers and book cases, so your child cannot pull it over.
- Make sure your child is in a proper car seat, booster seat or seatbelt every time you travel. This helps to decrease your child's risk for a head injury if you are in a car accident.
- Have your child wear protective sports equipment that fit properly. Helmets help decrease your child's risk for a serious brain injury. Talk to your healthcare provider about other ways that you can decrease your child's risk for a concussion if he plays sports.
Call 911 for the following: - Your child is harder to wake up than usual or you cannot wake him.
- Your child has a seizure, increasing confusion, or a change in personality.
- Your child's speech becomes slurred, or he has new vision problems.
When should I seek immediate care? - Your child has a headache that gets worse or he develops a severe headache.
- Your child has arm or leg weakness, loss of feeling, or new problems with coordination.
- Your child will not stop crying, or will not eat.
- Your child has blood or clear fluid coming out of his ears or nose.
- Your child is an infant and has a bulging soft spot on his head.
When should I contact my child's healthcare provider? - Your child has nausea or vomits.
- Your child's symptoms get worse.
- Your child's symptoms last longer than 6 weeks after the injury.
- Your child has trouble concentrating or dizziness.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
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