SDHSAA CONCUSSION FACT SHEET FOR PARENTS
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury. A bump or blow causes concussions or jolts to the head or body. Even or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.
What are the signs and symptoms?
You can’t see a concussion, Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days after the injury. If your teen reports, one or more symptoms of concussion listed below, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, keep your teen out of play and seek medical attention right away.
Signs Observed By Parents or Guardians
• Appears dazed or stunned
• Is confused about assignment or position
• Forgets an instruction
• Is unsure of the game, score, or opponent
• Moves clumsily
• Answers questions slowly
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes
• Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall
• Can’t recall events after hit or fall
Symptoms Reported by Athlete
• Headache or “pressure” in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Concentration or memory problems
• Confusion
• Just not “feeling right” or is “feeling down”
How can you help your teen prevent a concussion?
Every sport is different, but there are steps your teens can take to protect themselves from concussions and other injuries.
• Make sure they wear the right protective equipment for their activity. It should fit properly, be well maintained, and be worn consistently and correctly.
• Ensure that they follow their coaches’ rules for safety and the rules of the sport
• Encourage them to practice good sportsmanship at all times.
What should you do if you think your child has a concussion?
1. Keep your child out of play. If your child has a concussion, her/his brain needs time to heal. Don’t let your child return to play the day of the injury until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says
your child is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first – usually within a short time (hours, days, or weeks) – can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in edema (brain swelling), permanent brain damage, and even death.
2. Seek medical attention right away. A healthcare professional experienced in evaluating for concussions will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your child to return to sports.
3. Teach your child that it’s not smart to play with a concussion. Rest is key after a concussion. Sometimes athletes wrongly believe that it shows strength and courage to play injured. Discourage others from pressuring injured athletes to play. Don’t let your child convince you that s/he’s “just fine”.
4. Tell all of your child’s coaches and the student’s school nurse about ANY concussion. Coaches, school nurses, and other school staff should know if your child has ever had a concussion. Your child may need to limit activities while
s/he is recovering from a concussion. Things such as studying, driving, working on a computer, playing video games, or exercising may cause concussion symptoms to reappear or get worse. Talk to your healthcare professional, as well as your child’s coaches, school nurse, and teachers. If needed, they can help adjust your child’s school activities during her/his recovery.