If your kid takes a hit on the field, your immediate concerns will likely be about broken bones and visible injuries. But concussions, which aren’t always immediately obvious, are among the most common and potentially dangerous sports injuries in young athletes, so it’s important to keep an eye out for concussion symptoms, too.
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, our physiatrists treat acute concussions and know how critical early diagnosis is to recovery. Here’s what every Long Island parent should know about youth sports concussions.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, typically caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that temporarily disrupts normal brain function. It’s worth noting that not all concussions involve a loss of consciousness. In fact, most don’t, which is why parents and coaches so often miss them. Any significant impact to the head or body that causes the brain to move around rapidly inside the skull can produce a concussion, which prompts early evaluation and treatment.
Which Youth Sports Carry the Highest Risk?
Concussions can occur in virtually any sport, but they’re most common in high-impact activities, such as:
- Football
- Ice hockey
- Lacrosse
- Wrestling
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Gymnastics
- Cheerleading
If your child participates in any of these sports, it’s worth brushing up on the possible warning signs of a concussion well before you ever need to know them.
How to Recognize Concussion Symptoms
Concussion symptoms don’t always appear immediately, and young adults in particular may not be able to describe what they’re feeling as accurately as adults. As such, parents should watch for both physical and behavioral changes in their kids after any significant head impact.
Physical concussion symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness, balance problems, or difficulty walking a straight line
- Nausea or vomiting, particularly right after the injury
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Visual disturbances like blurry or double vision
Cognitive and behavioral symptoms of concussions may include:
- Confusion, mental fogginess, or feeling “not themselves”
- Inability to recall events from immediately before or after the impact
- Unusual emotional responses like mood changes or irritability
- Sleep disturbances, including sleeping far more than usual or difficulty falling asleep
When to Seek Help or Call 911
Seeking prompt medical evaluation is the right first step for most concussion symptoms. However, some symptoms indicate a medical emergency. You should call 911 immediately if your child exhibits any of the following symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe or rapidly worsening headache
- Unequal pupil sizes
- Extreme confusion
- Inability to wake up
Don’t wait to see if these symptoms resolve on their own. Seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible if you notice any of them.
What to Expect from Concussion Evaluation and Care
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, our physiatrists take a whole-patient approach to concussion care. We’ll begin with an evaluation that typically includes a thorough medical history, a neurological assessment, and a detailed conversation about symptoms and activity level. Our doctors don’t perform surgery, so their focus stays entirely on nonsurgical, patient-centered recovery, including personalized guidance on when it’s safe for your child to start playing again.
Contact Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine Now
If you know or suspect that you or your child has a concussion, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Call 1-888-SPINE-1-1 now to arrange a same or next-day appointment with the team at Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine. Our concussion specialist sees patients across Long Island, including in East Meadow and Great Neck.