A concussion is a serious injury to your brain that x-rays, CT scans or MRI's cannot see.
Causes
Concussions happen when your brain moves quickly inside your skull. Sudden blows to your head or body can cause concussions. All concussions are serious.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms may appear up to 48 hours after the injury/incident. After an injury, stop all activity and go immediately to the hospital emergency department or medical clinic if you or your child has any of these symptoms:
| Physical |
- Dizziness, nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Trouble balancing
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness (even for a moment)
- Neck pain
- Seizure or convulsion
- Sensitivity to light
|
| Cognitive |
- Sensitivity to noise
- Low energy
- Trouble remembering things and concentrating
- Confusion
- Sleepy
|
| Emotional |
- Irritability
- Emotional
- Feeling nervous or anxious
- Feeling “foggy”
- Not feeling “right”
|
| Sleep |
- Trouble sleeping
- Sleeping too much
|
Visit Parachute Canada for more information on the signs and symptoms of concussions.
Second Impact Syndrome
| What is Second Impact Syndrome? |
Second Impact Syndrome happens if you get a second concussion before your brain recovers from the first one. It can cause rapid and severe swelling of your brain. It can happen in hours, days or weeks.
Give your brain enough time to heal and follow the return-to-sport strategy only when your doctor says it is okay.
Second Impact Syndrome can also:
- Slow your recovery time.
- Increase the possibility that you will have long-term problems.
- Cause you to have permanent brain damage or even death.
|
| When can my child return to school and sports after a concussion? |
Your child's brain needs time to heal from the injury. If your child is still having symptoms they are not ready to return to school or physical activity. Their symptoms can last for seven to ten days, or for weeks or months.
When your doctor says it is safe to return to school and physical activity, talk to your child's school about the strategy for return to school after a concussion.
After you have completed the return to school steps, follow the return to sport strategy for returning to physical activity:
Stage 1: Symptom limiting activities
Stage 2: Light aerobic activity
Stage 3: Individual sport specific exercise with no contact
Stage 4: Begin training drills with no contact
Stage 5: Full contact practice following clearance by a doctor
Stage 6: Return to sport
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Reducing the risk of a concussion
| Talk to your children |
- Tell your children they must report any type of head injury right away to a coach, parent or other adult.
- Teach your children to play fair and follow the game rules.
- Check to make sure your child's protective gear is right for the sport being played and that all gear fits properly.
- Teach your children respect for other players and coaches.
|
| How coaches and educators can reduce the risk |
Meet with parents and players at the beginning of the playing season and talk about important concussion prevention information, such as:
- Players will not be allowed to play and must see a doctor immediately if they have a possible concussion.
- Players must tell an adult right away if they think they have a head injury.
- Players with a concussion will need to be cleared by a doctor to return to play and must follow the steps given by the doctor.
- Players must show respect for other players and coaches at all times.
- Parents and players should know the signs and symptoms of concussions.
- A player's gear must fit properly and meet safety standards for the sport.
- Have the concussion guide for coaches and trainers with you at games and practices.
- Help players to develop their skills and ensure that they play within their abilities.
- Talk about safety practices with players, such as avoiding aggressive behaviour and playing fair.
- Follow the return to sport strategy for players who have had a concussion. Children are only safe to return after a doctor says so.
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Resources
Watch a video on managing concussions and advice on returning to school after a concussion
Parachute Canada concussion resources for coaches, trainers, educators, parents and players.
