The dangers of a concussion- know the facts
Most parents, if asked, would say their kids are “hardheaded.” By using this term parents mean their kids don’t always listen and they may have a stubborn streak here and there. Unfortunately, when it comes to our physical bodies, no one is hardheaded, and kids especially are at a greater risk of having a concussion or head injury due to the nature of their activities.
Every year in the U.S., more than 400,000 kids are seen in emergency rooms for a concussion. In addition, another 1.1 million adults also endure concussions each year. In most cases, injuries sustained in car crashes, on playgrounds, and at sporting events are the most common ways that kids get concussions.
According to Dr. Stan Boyd, a local ER physician, concussions are very common for the most part.
“Concussions are quite common,” Boyd said. “I saw two in a 12-hour shift just recently, and that’s not at all unusual.”
Boyd explained that concussions present in all forms of seriousness and different symptoms may accompany them.
“Concussions come in all grades, from minor to much more severe, and the more severe the concussion, the more serious--or potentially serious they are,” he explained. “High grade concussions are accompanied with loss of consciousness. They typically also have severe nausea and vomiting, and significant memory and cognitive problems. Lower grade concussions don’t necessarily have the loss of consciousness, but often have varying degrees of headache (or pressure or fullness), nausea, dizziness, unsteadiness, poor concentration and any and varied brain malfunction symptoms.”
Most of the time, after a mild head injury, people return to normal even if the injury caused a concussion. But getting more than one concussion can lead to more serious problems. There have been certain football players and boxers who have endured serious medical problems due to repeated concussions.
The strange thing is that head injuries can be very unpredictable. One individual may hit their head slightly and suffer major damage while someone else may seem to have hit their head very hard, but they’re fine.
“One can bump their head or fall and hit their head quite hard and have no concussion symptoms at all,” Boyd said. “Then someone else may get a concussion with no direct trauma at all, perhaps just a sudden jolt or deceleration may cause symptoms in some individuals.”
It’s difficult to know when to seek medical attention where head injuries are concerned. In cases of an older child or adult hitting their head, Boyd said unless there are “significant symptoms” or they aren’t giving a “reliable history or information when they talk,” they may not necessarily need to go to the ER. However, if there is any doubt or concern, then they should definitely be seen.
Avoiding concussions is the best practice. Parents need to be proactive in this area. Bicycle helmets are one easy and cheap way to prevent concussions. Many kids are injured every year from falling off a bike, scooter, rollerblades and so forth. Making a bike helmet part of your child’s gear is a great way to keep them safe. Boyd thinks proper use of any helmet is a key part of prevention.
“I think proper use of helmets (in sports where they are allowed) is at the top of the list when it comes to preventing a concussion,” he said. “That includes helmets in bike riding. Skiing and snowboarding should also use helmets.”
After a concussion, the brain needs time to heal. It is vitally important to wait until all symptoms have gone away before returning to normal activities. There is no set time for how long it takes a concussion to heal. It normally depends on how long the symptoms last. A healthy teen can usually resume their normal activities within a few weeks, but each situation is different. It’s best to allow your physician to monitor all progress and make the decision as to when normal activity may resume. An individual that has a concussion and doesn’t recover within a few months is said to have post-concussion syndrome. These individuals may experience the same issues and symptoms as when the concussion first occurred. However, symptoms last for longer periods of time and may even be permanent. Any individual with continuing problems after a concussion should be referred to a rehabilitation specialist
“As far as returning to play a sport or participate in an activity, it really varies with the severity of the concussion, and/or the frequency of concussions,” Boyd said. “A very mild concussion may have symptoms that resolve within minutes, and with proper evaluation and monitoring that player might be able to return to play the same game. More severe concussions may require days or weeks until a return to play. A second concussion in the same season may significantly lengthen a return to play, or may necessitate not playing at all for the rest of the season. There are medical guidelines that are in place to determine when return to play is appropriate. Any concussion needs to be evaluated by properly trained medical personnel to determine if the individual is okay to return to athletic activity. In short, one should never return to athletics if symptoms of a concussion have not resolved completely.”
Every year in the U.S., more than 400,000 kids are seen in emergency rooms for a concussion. In addition, another 1.1 million adults also endure concussions each year. In most cases, injuries sustained in car crashes, on playgrounds, and at sporting events are the most common ways that kids get concussions.
According to Dr. Stan Boyd, a local ER physician, concussions are very common for the most part.
“Concussions are quite common,” Boyd said. “I saw two in a 12-hour shift just recently, and that’s not at all unusual.”
Boyd explained that concussions present in all forms of seriousness and different symptoms may accompany them.
“Concussions come in all grades, from minor to much more severe, and the more severe the concussion, the more serious--or potentially serious they are,” he explained. “High grade concussions are accompanied with loss of consciousness. They typically also have severe nausea and vomiting, and significant memory and cognitive problems. Lower grade concussions don’t necessarily have the loss of consciousness, but often have varying degrees of headache (or pressure or fullness), nausea, dizziness, unsteadiness, poor concentration and any and varied brain malfunction symptoms.”
Most of the time, after a mild head injury, people return to normal even if the injury caused a concussion. But getting more than one concussion can lead to more serious problems. There have been certain football players and boxers who have endured serious medical problems due to repeated concussions.
The strange thing is that head injuries can be very unpredictable. One individual may hit their head slightly and suffer major damage while someone else may seem to have hit their head very hard, but they’re fine.
“One can bump their head or fall and hit their head quite hard and have no concussion symptoms at all,” Boyd said. “Then someone else may get a concussion with no direct trauma at all, perhaps just a sudden jolt or deceleration may cause symptoms in some individuals.”
It’s difficult to know when to seek medical attention where head injuries are concerned. In cases of an older child or adult hitting their head, Boyd said unless there are “significant symptoms” or they aren’t giving a “reliable history or information when they talk,” they may not necessarily need to go to the ER. However, if there is any doubt or concern, then they should definitely be seen.
Avoiding concussions is the best practice. Parents need to be proactive in this area. Bicycle helmets are one easy and cheap way to prevent concussions. Many kids are injured every year from falling off a bike, scooter, rollerblades and so forth. Making a bike helmet part of your child’s gear is a great way to keep them safe. Boyd thinks proper use of any helmet is a key part of prevention.
“I think proper use of helmets (in sports where they are allowed) is at the top of the list when it comes to preventing a concussion,” he said. “That includes helmets in bike riding. Skiing and snowboarding should also use helmets.”
After a concussion, the brain needs time to heal. It is vitally important to wait until all symptoms have gone away before returning to normal activities. There is no set time for how long it takes a concussion to heal. It normally depends on how long the symptoms last. A healthy teen can usually resume their normal activities within a few weeks, but each situation is different. It’s best to allow your physician to monitor all progress and make the decision as to when normal activity may resume. An individual that has a concussion and doesn’t recover within a few months is said to have post-concussion syndrome. These individuals may experience the same issues and symptoms as when the concussion first occurred. However, symptoms last for longer periods of time and may even be permanent. Any individual with continuing problems after a concussion should be referred to a rehabilitation specialist
“As far as returning to play a sport or participate in an activity, it really varies with the severity of the concussion, and/or the frequency of concussions,” Boyd said. “A very mild concussion may have symptoms that resolve within minutes, and with proper evaluation and monitoring that player might be able to return to play the same game. More severe concussions may require days or weeks until a return to play. A second concussion in the same season may significantly lengthen a return to play, or may necessitate not playing at all for the rest of the season. There are medical guidelines that are in place to determine when return to play is appropriate. Any concussion needs to be evaluated by properly trained medical personnel to determine if the individual is okay to return to athletic activity. In short, one should never return to athletics if symptoms of a concussion have not resolved completely.”
Published: March 13, 2011
