Concussions can be dangerous so it is important to recognize them early. A concussion, although mild in nature, is a mild manifestation of a trauma brain injury. The symptoms of concussions can vary depending on the severity of the incident. Parents must be vigilant and diligent in recognizing symptoms in their children as well as in themselves.
Parents and their Youth Athlete
- Anyone can sustain a concussion if they are susceptible to or have experienced head injuries. The focus should be on the youth athlete, as they are more resilient than adults and can take more injuries. A teenager wouldn’t know how to recognize symptoms. An adult, in theory, is more likely than an adolescent to feel well and to be able to recognize and treat pain and discomfort.
- Parents need to be more vigilant when looking after an active adolescent. Adolescents can be moody and irritable, which can make them difficult to handle. Parents need to be able to recognize symptoms of concussion and look beyond the normal developmental stages of adolescence.
Common Symptoms of Concussion
If diagnosed early and treated properly, concussions can be treated. These are the visual signs.
- A blank stare
- The holding of the head.
- Balance problems
- Or vomiting;
- hazy memory recall.
Emotional signs are more subtle than that.
- a change in sleep patterns;
- Mental fog;
- Changes in mood
One symptom of a concussion is not necessarily the most severe.
Missing the Symptoms is dangerous
- If a concussion can be diagnosed early and treated properly, the prognosis for most cases is positive. Because their brains do not fully develop, young athletes and adolescents are at greater risk of permanent damage. Research has shown that repetitive impacts to the brain in young children can lead to depression and cognitive impairment.
- These permanent effects will limit your ability to learn in school and outside of school. They will also affect your potential to grow professionally and socially.
- The condition known as “second impact syndrome” is possible if a concussion is not treated and diagnosed promptly. This syndrome, although rare, can cause permanent brain damage if repeated head hits occur after a previous concussion has fully healed.
Summarized from an article by Rose, Klein & Marias Injury Lawyers.
