Any parent knows how upsetting and worrying a bump on the head or more serious head injury can be. Even after a child has been checked by a doctor, you have to watch closely for 72 hours for the signs of concussion. This is why at Kids on Track, we read with great excitment a couple of weeks ago that a blood test which is 94% effective at detecting concussion in children should be available within the next 5 years.
For anyone who doesn’t want to wait that long – here are some clues to being smart about head injuries.
- A concussion is a mild brain injury which alters someone’s ability to function normally following a bump / knock to the head.
- The brain is encased within the skull and so any knock to the head can cause the brain to move. When this knock results in a visual sign on the head such as swelling or a bruise, there is often a need to watch for a concussion.
- 700 children each day are taken to emergency worldwide following a concussion playing sports
- Whilst symptoms of a concussion are often not immediate and develop 24 – 72 hours after injury, it is important to take your child to see a doctor to rule out anything more serious.
- Symptoms of concussion include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and confusion. In babies there can be irritabilty or excessive crying.
- Doctors will try to determine whether or not your child is suffering from a concussion by doing a full neurological exam.
- Most people with a concussion recover very quickly and are back to regular activities within a couple of days or a week.