Learn more about caring for a child who has a concussion. ![]() Your child needs to sit the activities out until cleared by the doctor to return. The main thing to remember is that no matter how severe the first concussion is, it’s imperative for you to take your child to a concussion expert and follow that doctor’s recommendations regarding the length of time your child must refrain from participating in sports or other activities that could lead to head injury. If your child gets a second concussion during the period of altered brain function, the chances of severe injury are much greater. During this time, the brain is more susceptible to being severely or permanently injured. Recovery is important because concussions lead to a period of changed brain function. Fortunately, most children who have one concussion will recover completely – but only if they rest and discontinue contact sports for as long as the doctor recommends. Repeated concussions in children have a cumulative effect, meaning the damage continues to get worse after each concussion. This is crucial to prevent further damage to the brain. It’s important to have your child rest and recover after a concussion. If your child has any of the symptoms listed above, take him or her to the emergency room. Call your child’s doctor, explain the injury, and ask for next steps. Get them to a doctorĪnytime a child has a potential head injury or concussion, you should seek an evaluation by a healthcare professional who has expertise in diagnosing concussions. This is true whether your child was wearing a helmet or not. You won’t be able to diagnose a concussion yourself, but you should take precautions after any head injury to protect your child – even if it seems minor. If your child continues to play after a concussion, it can increase the risk of severe brain injury and even death, and it can make the symptoms worse. Concussions are serious and should never be shrugged off. If your child has a head injury during an athletic event, you should immediately remove him or her from play – even if it’s just during a practice. What to do if your child may have a concussion Mental confusion, an altered mental state, or difficulty answering questions.If you experience any of the following symptoms, either right after your injury or in the days or weeks after it, see your doctor right away. There are times when you should seek immediate medical attention after a head injury. You should always see your doctor or another medical professional trained to identify concussion symptoms after any type of head injury to assess whether you have a concussion. If symptoms persist beyond the expected recovery timeline, the patient will be referred to a neurologist and / or a specialist who treats post-concussive syndrome. Most concussed patients will recover within 3 weeks. Eye exams – Your doctor may do some eye exams to check for signs of concussion or neurological damage.It can also help identify changes in your brain that could be due to the trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may help doctors diagnose complications of your head injury.A CT scan is the most commonly used test to evaluate the brain right after an injury.Imaging – A concussion itself won’t show up on brain imaging tests, but if you have certain symptoms (like severe headaches, vomiting, or seizures), your doctor may order an MRI or CT of your head to check for visible injury, such as bleeding in the brain.Cognitive testing may evaluate your memory, recall ability, and concentration. Cognitive testing –This type of testing helps evaluate your cognitive skills, which is another way to say your ability to think.Your doctor may test your strength, reflexes, coordination, balance, hearing, nerve function, ability to feel (sensation), and mental status. Neurological exams – A neurological exam to help diagnose a concussion may include physical tests to make sure your brain is working as it should.There are a few different exams and tests that can help diagnose a concussion. While there are some signs and symptoms that may indicate someone has a concussion, it can only be diagnosed by a medical professional. People often ask how to tell if you have a concussion. Concussions are usually diagnosed based on symptoms and severity of injury. ![]() Concussion can range from mild to severe, and symptoms vary depending on the severity. Anyone of any age can get a concussion, but it’s more common in athletes. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury.
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