Concussions are one of the most common injuries we see in clinic. They happen when a kid takes a hit to the head or neck that causes enough movement of the brain to interrupt its functioning. Most people associate concussions with kids who play sports, but we see them in all ages groups in various scenarios such as car accidents, playground falls, or tumbles at home.
We take concussions seriously because your child only gets one noggin! So here’s what to look out for if you suspect a possible concussion and what to do about it. And there’s good news – the vast majority of kids recover completely from a concussion, though it can sometimes take a few weeks.
Symptoms
Concussions can present with a wide variety of cognitive and physical symptoms such as:
- Loss of consciousness or “passing out”
- Headache
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Dizziness
- Vision changes
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Brain fog (some kids describe just feeling “off”)
- Irritability
- Amnesia or the inability to remember the events surrounding the head trauma
- Difficulty concentrating
Some symptoms necessitate immediate evaluation in the emergency room to rule out other more serious brain injuries. These symptoms include:
- Significant drowsiness or difficulty to arouse
- Severe headache or neck pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Weakness or numbness
- Convulsions or seizure-like activity
- Unequal pupils
- Significant behavior change
Treatment
There are three big categories to consider when approaching the treatment of concussions:
1. Symptomatic Care
- Ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as needed to treat headache
- Rest, especially early on. Importantly, you do NOT need to wake your child at any interval after a concussion; it is okay to let them sleep.
- Limiting activities that worsen symptoms (this is patient-dependent but could include screen time, reading, or hanging out with friends).
2. Return to School
While kids may need a few days out of school initially for recovery, we want them to return to school and daily activities once their symptoms start to improve. However, they may need temporary accommodations at school such as:
- ½ day attendance
- Reduced workload
- Breaks or quiet time during the day
- Extra time for assignments
We can provide documentation of your child’s diagnosis for the school and include these recommendations.
3. Return to Sports
This is a crucial component of treatment that needs to be done under supervision. Returning to activity too quickly can worsen symptoms, and sustaining a second concussion or head injury on top of a concussion that has not fully healed can lead to more serious complications and longer recovery for your child.
The return to play protocol involves a gradual return to activity to ensure that your child is not pushing themselves too quickly. It’s okay to do light activity such as walking early on in concussion healing. However, before clearing patients to return to sports, we typically want kids symptom free without medications and back to full functioning in school and daily life.
CMC’s Approach to Concussions
If you are concerned that your child may have a concussion or has been diagnosed with a concussion by an outside provider, please give us a call to schedule a visit for us to evaluate your child. We have same or next day appointments available so you can quickly get answers and peace of mind!
It is important that in the meantime your child does not participate in further physical activities or sports until given the okay by their pediatrician. In fact, if a child athlete is suspected of having a concussion, Colorado law mandates they be removed from the game/practice and cannot return without clearance from a health care provider.
At your visit we will take a history and perform an exam to make or confirm the diagnosis of concussion, and then will give you and your child detailed guidance on a care plan, including any documentation needed for school or sports organizations. Most children who play sports will need at least two visits – one to make the diagnosis and the other to provide clearance to return to sports when they are ready.
Navigating concussion recovery can feel overwhelming so just know that we are here to help your child safely get back to being their best self as smoothly as possible.