Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Concussion

Table of Contents

Treatment

A concussion with bleeding or brain damage must be treated in a hospital.

If the concussion occured during a sporting event and resulted in a headache, confusion, or change in alertness, a trained person must determine when that person can return to playing sports.

Children with concussion symptoms should avoid sports and from being overly active during recess, physical education classes, and other playtimes. Ask your doctor when your child can return to normal activities.

When your child can safely return to normal activities depends on the severity of the concussion. Some children may need to wait 1 to 3 months. Ask your child's doctor if it is okay before the child participates in any activity where there is a risk of hitting or injuring the head. Specifically, ask when your child can:

  • Play contact sports, such as football, hockey, and soccer
  • Ride a bicycle, motorcycle, or off-road vehicle
  • Driving a car (if they are old enough and licensed)
  • Ski, snowboard, skate, or participate in gymnastics or martial arts

Some organizations recommend that a child who had a concussion avoid sports activities that could produce a similar head injury for the rest of the season.

Treatment for a concussion may include:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a headache. Do NOT use aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), naproxen, or similar drugs.
  • Eating a light diet.
  • Avoiding exercise, weight lifting, or heavy activities. Light activity around the home is okay. You do not need to stay in bed.
  • Avoiding alcohol until you have completely recovered.

An adult should stay with you for the first 12 - 24 hours after the concussion. Going to sleep is okay. However, someone should wake you up every 2 or 3 hours for the at least the first 12 hours. They can ask a simple question, such as your name, and then look for any changes in the way you look or act.


Support Groups


Expectations (prognosis)
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Review Date: 01/11/2011
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)