Few sports injuries are as frightening as a concussion. The world has learned a lot about concussions in recent years, and the physicians today better understand how damaging head injuries can be; symptoms become much worse and take longer to resolve if the brain is reinjured before it can completely recover from a previous injury. Add to that, there is some evidence that developing brains are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of multiple concussions than mature adult brains.
Below is an excerpt from a U.S. News article detailing the results of a recent research that studied the length of the effects of concussion in children, and the evidence that some of these effects can last long after the physical symptoms have gone:
In a study from the emergency medicine division at Boston Children’s Hospital, doctors found that, while headache, dizziness and blurry vision can appear right after a concussion, emotional and mental symptoms, such as irritability and frustration, show up much later and stay longer.
“Patients and their families should expect the physical symptoms that they experience after a head injury to get better over the next few weeks, but that emotional symptoms may come on later, even as the physical symptoms subside,” said lead researcher Dr. Matthew Eisenberg.
“Only by knowing what symptoms can be expected after a concussion can we help reassure patients and families that what they experience is normal, know when to seek additional help, and make sure that children are taking appropriate precautions in regard to school and sports to achieve a full recovery,” Eisenberg added.
Signs of a concussion in kids
Concussion symptoms can vary drastically from one child to another. Since concussions are not easily identifiable, it’s important that your child be evaluated at a Littleton pediatrics facility if head injury is suspected. Depending on the severity of the injury, concussion symptoms can last anywhere from a few hours to a few months. Apart from the concussion symptoms mentioned above, other symptoms include confusion, nausea, difficulty with balance and coordination, difficulty concentrating, and feeling more sleepy than usual.
What to do if concussion is suspected
If you believe that your child is suffering from a concussion, seek medical attention immediately. Visit the office of a Littleton pediatrician so a professional evaluation can be performed to diagnose a concussion and identify the proper care for it.
(Source: Kids’ Concussion Symptoms Can Linger Long After Injury: Study, U.S. News, May 12, 2014)