Head injuries can be frightening when they occur, both for the people injured as well as for their family or caregivers. It can be difficult for a person to determine if their loved one is displaying signs and symptoms of a concussion immediately after a head injury. For instance, if a parent sees their child collide with another child during a youth soccer game, and both children bump their heads against each other, and then fall to the ground crying, how can the children be assessed?
How much crying is too much crying? What should a parent do if they ask their child questions in an attempt to determine how coherent their child is, but the child has an aching head and is cranky, so they refuse to answer any questions? It can be a sign of concussion if a person cannot answer simple questions, but in the case of a child, it can also simply mean they are being uncooperative because they don’t feel well.
Whether your loved one is a child or an adult, the question remains: How do you know when to seek help for your loved one’s concussion? The answer is simple. It is always a good idea to seek concussion care after a head injury. You can never be too careful. This is a time where the old saying “better safe than sorry” rings true. You have one brain and you must protect it. If your child collides with another child at a soccer game, or even runs into a wall or doorframe at home by accident, and knocks their head pretty hard, pay close attention to them for a few hours.
If they stand up immediately and shake the dust off, without any apparent after effects, there is a good chance that they are fine. The brain is surrounded by fluid which serves as a cushion, and a strong skull which protects the brain from most bumps, knocks and hits. If a child shows no signs of dizziness, confusion, headache, or trouble keeping their balance, then they are most likely just fine. But if an hour or so passes and they vomit, or become very sleepy, or start slurring their speech, it is very important that you seek medical care for them right away.
Whether your loved one is a child or an adult, they should be observed for a few hours after a suspected concussion, even if (an especially if) they do not show any immediate signs of concussion. Even if they appear perfectly fine, symptoms can develop as time passes. If they do begin to show themselves after a few hours, it is still important to seek care for your loved one. It is not safe to assume that because they were initially ok, that their brain is uninjured. If your loved one begins to display confusion, or excessive sleepiness, or if they begin to have trouble sleeping at night, they should be evaluated by a functional neurologist who can help to assess the level of injury to the brain. If you suspect that your loved one has had a concussion, call and make an appointment today.