A Guide for Parents
By Dr. Megan O’Brien, pediatric emergency room physician at CHRISTUS Children’s
As summer winds down and we start looking ahead to a new school year, our focus turns to new sports seasons and all the practice and preparation involved. One injury that may not be so easy to spot is a concussion.
A concussion is a brain injury on a cellular level, meaning it impairs how the brain talks to itself and sends signals.
It can happen when someone bumps or hits their head, but essentially, a concussion occurs when the body is moving and suddenly stops, but the brain keeps moving.
Although loss of consciousness may occur, it usually does not.
Concussions do occur most commonly in contact sports such as football or hockey, but a concussion can occur off the field, as well.
The term concussion may sound scary for parents. But knowing and understanding the signs and symptoms is important.
Usually, a child will complain of a headache, they may seem dazed or have memory dysfunction, they may experience nausea and/or vomiting, have a sensitivity to light and sound and may just generally respond much slower than usual.
A concussion can affect a person’s memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance, and muscle coordination.
Another important thing to note about a concussion is that symptoms may not appear right away. Some patients can experience symptoms of a concussion hours later.
The parent of a child who may have suffered a concussion should check on their child regularly until he or she feels normal.
If your child does start to show symptoms of a concussion, parents should avoid allowing their children to be on their phones or tablets, or doing anything that may stress their brains.
Because a concussion is a brain injury, stressing the brain can cause more harm, so taking away the cell phone or electronics is advisable. No texting, no video games.
Additionally, these kids should stay home from school and avoid physical activities until symptoms resolve. If your child does experience a concussion, they should seek guidance from their health care provider. The physician can go over any necessary next steps, which can vary depending on the concussion’s severity.
Repeated concussions could cause significant damage, so it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your child’s physician.
CHRISTUS Children’s is San Antonio’s first and only freestanding hospital caring for children and expecting women located downtown. It also has two additional emergency centers located in the Stone Oak and Westover Hills neighborhoods.
To learn more about concussions, visit our website at CHRISTUSHealth.org.
