A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. A concussion is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Even a "ding," "getting your bell rung," or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
Athletes who have, at any point in their lives, had a concussion have an increased risk for another concussion. Young children and teens are more likely to get a concussion and take longer to recover than adults.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CONCUSSION?
Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury. If an athlete reports ONE OR MORE symptoms of concussion listed below after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, s/he should be kept out of play until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says s/he is symptom-free and it's OK to begin the Graduated Return to Play protocol. You can't see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away.
SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY ATHLETS MAY INCLUDE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Headaches or "pressure" in head Nausea or vomiting
Balance problems or dizziness Neck pain
Blurred, double, or fuzzy vision Sensitivity to light or noise Sluggish or slowed down Feeling foggy or groggy Drowsiness
Change in sleep patterns
SIGNS OBSERVED BY COACHES, TEAMMATES OR PARENTS:
Appears dazed or stunned Vacant facial expression Confused about assignment Forgets plays
Is unsure of game, score, or opponent Moves clumsily or displays incoordination Answers questions slowly
CONCUSSION DANGER SIGNS
Amnesia
"Don't feel right"
Fatigue or low energy
Sadness
Nervousness or anxiety
Irritability Feeling
More emotional
Confusion
Concentration or memory problems Repeating the same question/comment
Slurred speech
Shows behavior or personality changes Can't recall events prior to hit
Can't recall events after hit
Seizures or convulsions
Any change in typical behavior or personality Loses consciousness
In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot may form on the brain in a person with a concussion and crowd the brain against the skull. An athlete should receive immediate medical attention if after a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body s/he exhibits any of the following danger signs:
One pupil larger than the other
Is drowsy or cannot be awakened
A headache that not only does not diminish but gets worse
Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
Repeated vomiting or nausea
Slurred speech
Convulsions or seizures
Cannot recognize people or places
Becomes increasingly confused, restless, or agitated
Has unusual behavior
Loses consciousness (even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously)
WHY SHOULD AN ATHLETE REPORT THEIR SYMPTOMS
If an athlete has a concussion, his/her brain needs time to heal. While an athlete's brain is still healing, s/he is much more likely to have another concussion. Repeat concussions can increase the time it takes to recover. In rare cases, repeat concussion in young athletes can result in brain swelling or permanent damage to their brain. They can even be fatal.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOUR ATHLETE HAS SUFFERED A CONCUSSION?
If you suspect that an athlete has a concussion, remove the athlete from play and seek medical attention. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Keep the athlete out of play until a heath care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says s/he is symptom-free and it's OK to begin the Graduated Return to Play protocol. You should also inform your child's coach if you think your child may have a concussion. The International Rugby Board (iRB) Regulation 10.1.1 states that players suspected of having concussion or diagnosed with concussion must go through a graduated return to play (GRTP) protocol. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without adhering to iRB Law.