Contributed by Dr. Rebecca Partridge
Contributing Writer
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. While we often hear about head injuries in athletes, most concussions happen off the playing field – in car and bicycle accidents, fights and even minor falls.
Throughout my career, I’ve seen many kids and adolescents for suspected or actual concussions. In each case, the things that never surprise me are the wide variety of ways they occur, well beyond participation in sports, and how even minor head injuries can cause concussions.
An undiagnosed concussion can put someone at risk for brain damage and even disability. Anyone who has any symptom of a concussion should be examined right away by a doctor.
Someone with a concussion may be knocked unconscious, but this doesn’t always happen.
If you suspect someone might have suffered a concussion, go to the nearest emergency room if he or she exhibits:
Loss of consciousness
Severe headache
Blurred vision
Trouble walking
Confusion
Slurred speech
Unresponsiveness
If you are unsure, call your doctor right away to report other problems, such as vomiting, dizziness, headache or trouble concentrating. You can then get advice about what to do next.
For milder symptoms, the doctor may recommend rest and ask you to closely watch that person for changes, such as a headache that worsens.
Concussion symptoms don’t always appear right away and can develop within 24 to 72 hours after an injury.
Young children usually have the same physical symptoms as older kids and adults, but cognitive and emotional symptoms, such as irritability and frustration, can surface later, be more difficult to notice and last longer.
Sleep-related issues from a concussion are more common in teens.
Although most people quickly recover from concussions, some symptoms, including memory loss, headaches and problems concentrating, may linger for weeks or months. It’s really important to watch for these symptoms and contact your doctor if they last.
To diagnose a concussion, a doctor will ask how and when the incident happened and about the person’s symptoms. The doctor may also ask questions to test the person’s consciousness, memory and concentration.
A physical exam will focus on the nervous system, testing balance, coordination, nerve function and reflexes. Sometimes a CT or MRI brain scan will be done to rule out internal bleeding or other problems.
Symptoms can differ in severity. For this reason, treatment depends on a person’s particular condition and situation. The doctor will monitor the individual closely and might recommend acetaminophen, ibuprofen or other aspirin-free medicines for headaches.
Be sure to get the OK from a doctor before your son or daughter returns to sports or other physical activities. Sometimes kids feel better even though their thinking, behavior and/or balance haven’t yet returned to normal.
It is very important for anyone with a concussion to heal completely before doing anything that could lead to another concussion. Hurrying back to sports and other physical activities increases the risk of a condition called second-impact syndrome, which can cause lasting brain damage and even death.
Rebecca Partridge, MD, is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. She practices at Virginia Mason Issaquah Medical Center; www.virginiamason.org/issaquah.
