Concussion Awareness

The MJCCA takes sports and injuries very seriously. While we’re always on the lookout for our children and adults participating in activities, sometimes the best way to identify an issue is to know what to look for at home.

A concussion is an injury to the brain caused by a blow or bump to or around the head. This causes the brain to move inside the skull, changing how it works or processes information for a temporary period of time.

It’s important to remember:

• Approximately 10% of concussions result in loss of consciousness
• Headaches are the most common symptom (but don’t always occur)
• Since a concussion does not involve a structural injury to the brain, imaging such as a CT scan or MRI will look normal
• Healing occurs over time
• Stop all activity if you suspect a concussion—activity can worsen symptoms and increase risk for further injury to the brain, and can even cause death
• Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of concussion

Symptoms may not arise until a few days after the injury. Be on the lookout for:

• Confusion
• Clumsy movement or dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Memory loss
• Tiredness
• Upset stomach
• Vision problems
• Sensitivity to noise and light
• Numbness or tingling anywhere on the body
• Loss of balance or trouble walking
• Mentally foggy, can’t think clearly or remember things
• Slurred speech or other changes in speech
• Irritable or fussier than usual
• Acts differently than normal—does not play, acts fussy, or confused
• More emotional, perhaps very sad or nervous
• Change in sleeping patterns

Watch your child very carefully in the first couple of days after a concussion. Call your child’s doctor immediately, go to the emergency room, or call 911 if your child’s symptoms get worse, or they have any new symptoms, such as:

• Headaches
• Clear drainage from the nose or ear
• Increased scalp swelling
• A seizure
• Neck pain
• Difficulty waking up
• Vomits more than once
• Acts differently than usual, not playing, acting fussy or seems confused
• Can’t think clearly or remember things
• Experiences weakness in the arms or legs or does not move them as usual
• Can’t recognize people or places
• Slurs speech
• Passes out