Hit Your Head Hard? The Symptoms of a Concussion

With football season upon us, concussion injuries rise. In fact, each year more than 200,000 incidences of sports-induced concussion occur in the United States. Symptoms may go unnoticed and therefore it is extremely important for parents, coaches and athletes to be aware of the signs and what to do if one is suspected. A person does not have to lose consciousness to have sustained a concussion.
 
 

Common symptoms of concussion include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Balance Problems
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Trouble Falling Asleep
• Sleeping more than usual
• Drowsiness
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Irritability
• Sadness
• Nervousness
• Feeling more emotional
• Numbness or tingling
• Feeling mentally foggy
• Difficulty communicating
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering
• Visual problems (blurry or double vision)

 
If you suspect your child or athlete has a concussion, have him/her evaluated by a qualified physician, coach or athletic trainer right away. Without the proper rest and treatment, additional brain damage may occur. Athletes can return to play after they are completely free of all symptoms during and after exercise testing by a qualified athletic trainer or physician. Research has shown that younger athletes take longer than adult athletes for their testing to return to normal, so adequate rest is essential..