What is a concussion?A concussion is a type of brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, or to the body that transmits force to the head. These forces can cause the brain to move around rapidly inside the skull. Loss of consciousness in not required in order to sustain a concussion. In order to help some of the stigma surrounding concussions terms like “getting your bell rung” or getting “dinged” are not accurate, antiquated, and should not be used when describing a head injury. All head injuries should be treated seriously.
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What are the symptoms of a concussion?
Blurred vision
Confusion Dizziness Drowsiness Easily distracted Eyes tracking abnormally Fatigue Feeling “in a fog” Feeling “slowed down” Headache |
Inappropriate emotions
Irritability Loss of consciousness Loss of orientation Memory problems Nausea Neck pain Nervousness Personality change Poor balance/coordination |
Poor concentration
Pressure in the head Ringing in the ears Sadness Seeing stars Sensitivity to light Sensitivity to noise Vacant stare/glassy eyed |
How are concussions different for high school athletes and how long do they last?
Due to the developing nature of the immature brain, concussions in a high school athlete ill often take longer to heal than in an adult population. Therefore, a more conservative return to play approach is needed as well as rest. The vast majority of concussion symptoms (80-90%) will resolve in a week. It is important to note that symptom resolution does not always indicate complete cognitive recovery.
What do i do if i think my student-athlete has a concussion?
The first thing is to remove that athlete from any physical activity and have them evaluated by a trained health care provider. At the school, your athletic trainer has extensive training on how to recognize, diagnose, and treat concussions. IF the school AT is not available, please call you family doctor or seek care at the nearest Emergency Department if needed.
How do you treat a concussion?
Concussions should be treated with general cognitive and physical rest as long as symptoms are present. Cognitive rest means avoiding things that stimulate the brain such as testing, video games, extra computer and iPad time. This may also require a modification of school activities depending on the length of symptoms. Physical rest includes avoiding all activity that has not been specifically indicated by your physician or athletic trainer. This includes practices, games, PE class, strength class, and performing arts classes. Academic accommodations can be made through the AT, physicians and school administration if needed. Before returning to athletics, the student athlete must be participating fully in school.
How do we take care of a concussion at home?
Monitor your son or daughter for progressive symptoms for the first 24-48 hours. As long as their symptoms are stable, no increasing, you do NOT need to wake the athlete through the night. The athlete should follow their normal sleep schedule as much as possible. Do not give your athlete Advil (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen). If needed, Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be given to your athlete 24 hours after injury to help relieve headache and neck pain.
When do i need to see a physician for a concussion?
MHSAA rules dictate all concussions, whether in practice or competition, must be cleared by a physician (MD or DO), physician assistant (PA), or nurse practitioner (NP) and clearance must be unconditional. MHSAA and Michigan State Law also dictate students should not return to play until completion of a physician approved return to play protocol. Your Athletic Trainer can help with determining when to go see an MD, DO, NP, or PA for clearance.
Can you prevent concussions?
It is not possible to prevent all concussions but there are some ways to decrease the risk of concussion.
- The use of properly fitted protective equipment
- Proper hitting technique in football
- Education about the risks and dangers of concussions
The Return to play process at saugatuck public schools
- Any student-athlete with a suspected concussion must report to the athletic trainer for evaluation, post-injury ImPACT testing and symptom tracking.
- On school days, the athlete will report to the athletic trainer for symptom tracking and evaluation.
- The athlete must be symptom free for a minimum of 24 hours
- Once the athlete is symptom free, they will take another ImPACT test, if needed, and begin the graded return to play process (4 stages of graduated activity before returning to competition).
- When the athlete has completed the first 1-3 stages of the return to play protocol, they will need to be seen by an MD, DO, PA or NP to be cleared for full return to sports.
- The athlete will then continue to complete the return to play protocol with the athletic trainer.
- When the athlete has successfully completed the above process and is participating full in school, the athlete may return to competition.
References and resources
Sports-Related Concussion in Children and Adolescents, Pediatrics Sept. 2010 Vol. 126 Issue 3
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/126/3/597
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Position Statement: Concussion in Sports
https://journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/Fulltext/2013/01000/American_Medical_Society_for_Sports_Medicine.1.aspx
Centers for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/HeadsUp/index.html
The Knockout Project
http://theknockoutproject.org/?page_id=141
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/126/3/597
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Position Statement: Concussion in Sports
https://journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/Fulltext/2013/01000/American_Medical_Society_for_Sports_Medicine.1.aspx
Centers for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/HeadsUp/index.html
The Knockout Project
http://theknockoutproject.org/?page_id=141