Although the high school and youth football season may be in the rearview mirror, that doesn’t mean that the threat of concussions has just disappeared. Although football is certainly the kind of activity that can lead to its share of head injuries, it’s far from the only activity that can cause damage.
Over the next couple months, children could take to the ice and end up slipping and hitting their head. They could play winter sports like hockey and basketball that entail a concussion risk. And there’s always the chance that simply going about one’s day suddenly exposes an individual to head damage.
You want to do what you can to protect your children from harm, and that will mean recognizing the signs of a concussion and what to do when you suspect such an injury is apparent. This is perhaps even more important outside of situations where concussions would be common, as it’s easy for an injury to slip by undetected. Therefore, consider the advice on hand from a report out of San Diego.
If your child has taken a fall or sustained a bump on the head in some other manner, know those things that could indicate he or she has suffered a concussion. A headache is a possibility, and this will often be accompanied by a lack of awareness of the child’s surroundings. Immediately or over time, the child could also start vomiting or feel numb, their coordination notably poorer.
They may suddenly appear tired or confused about what’s going on, and their speech may be slurred in some manner. They may not recognize where they are or who people around them are, and in some instances, they may even be knocked out cold.
Concussions are not always this easy to deduce, which is why it’s best to err on the side of caution. A parent can examine their children’s pupils to see if they have become enlarged, but even if this isn’t readily identifiable, precautions must still be taken.
A child shouldn’t be allowed to take place in physical activities, especially organized sports, until they have received a medical clearance from a doctor. That medical attention should be sought at once so that the effects of a concussion don’t linger without treatment. A doctor may set a timetable for when the child can return to action.
To prevent such situations from happening in the first place, make sure that a child will wear a helmet in situations where that would be warranted. If a child plans on sledding, for instance, this would be a good idea. Make sure they know to conduct themselves in a manner that limits injury exposure, and always be ready to respond if a concussion is suspected.