Children in Sports: Concussion Signs & Symptoms

Concussions are a big deal in youth sports, from hockey to football, and protecting our children from concussions can be difficult. After all, we can’t be out there with them all the time. We can only hope to educate them, and ourselves, to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion so that we can prevent further harm.

Did you know that during a concussion there can be significant damage done to the frontal lobe of your child’s brain? Or that the frontal lobe continues to develop well into our mid-twenties? It is responsible for controlling not only our emotions, but also our movements, and is also heavily involved in how we plan things.

One of the most common signs that your child has a concussion is a change in their behavior and/or mental status. Often times, a concussion will cause the concussed individual to become more irritable or aggressive.

What are the other signs and symptoms associated with concussions? Here is a list courtesy of the Mayo Clinic:

• Nausea and/or vomiting following a fall or collision
• Loss of consciousness
• Dizziness or ringing in the ears
• Appears to be dazed or stunned
• Confused about opponent, score, position or assignment
• Cannot remember what happened before or after a fall or collision (amnesia)
• Slurred speech and/or double vision
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Inability to concentrate or memory problems

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, DO NOT LET THEM CONTINUE TO PARTICPATE. Teenagers in particular are susceptible to recurring traumatic brain injuries especially concussions. In fact, once concussed, a teenager is more than three times as likely to experience another concussion within the same sport’s season.

Protect your children and have them evaluated by a trained medical professional if you suspect a concussion.

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