Children’s health: Signs, treatment, safe recovery for teens with concussions
As summer sports, camps and outdoor activities continue, so does the risk of concussions in children and teens. While many people think of concussions as sports injuries, they can happen anywhere: from a fall off a bike to a car crash, or even accidentally hitting a head on a door or locker.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow, bump or jolt to the head, or a hit to the body that causes the brain to move quickly inside the skull. Even though it is called “mild,” a concussion should always be taken seriously because the brain needs time to heal.
“Many people expect a concussion to cause someone to pass out, but that's actually uncommon,” said Jacqueline Turner, MSN, APRN-NP, FNP-BC, an advanced practice nurse practitioner at Lurie Children's who specializes in concussion and sports injury diagnosis and treatment.
“Symptoms can be different from person to person and may not appear until hours or even days after the injury.”
Headache is the most common symptom, but it is far from the only one. Parents should also watch for nausea, dizziness, trouble seeing clearly, sensitivity to light or noise, feeling unusually tired, sleep problems, difficulty paying attention or remembering things, and changes in mood or behavior. Brain scans often appear normal even when a child has a concussion, so symptoms are the best guide.
Sports such as football, soccer, hockey, gymnastics and wrestling are common causes of concussions. But they are not the only cause. Falls, bicycle crashes, motor vehicle accidents, roughhousing and everyday accidents can also lead to a concussion.
If a concussion is suspected during a game or practice, the athlete should be removed from play right away and should not return the same day without being evaluated by a medical professional.
“We do not encourage kids to 'tough it out' or return to play too soon,” Turner said. “A second injury before the brain has healed can lead to a longer recovery and more serious problems. When in doubt, sit them out.”
After a concussion, experts say the first one to two days should include both physical and mental rest, followed by a gradual return to normal activities as symptoms improve. Light physical activity, such as walking, may actually help recovery when recommended by a health care provider.
School is another important part of recovery. Some teens may need temporary changes such as shorter school days, extra time for assignments or breaks during class while symptoms improve.
“Recovery isn't just about getting back to sports,” Turner said. “It's also about helping students safely return to learning, social activities and everyday life. Every concussion is different, so recovery plans should be based on the child's symptoms.”
The good news is that most teens recover completely within four weeks. However, about one in four may continue to have symptoms beyond that time and may benefit from specialized concussion care.
Parents can also help reduce the risk of concussions before an injury happens. Athletes should wear properly fitted, sport-specific helmets, although helmets cannot completely prevent concussions.
Learning safe playing techniques, strengthening neck muscles and following the rules of the game can also lower the risk of injury. Coaches, parents and athletes all play an important role by encouraging safe play and speaking up when an injury is suspected.
Most importantly, parents should trust their instincts. If a child has taken a hit to the head or body and just doesn't seem like themselves afterward, it is worth getting them checked by a medical professional.
“A concussion is an invisible injury,” Turner said. “You may not be able to see it, but your child is telling you how they're feeling through their symptoms. Listening to them and getting the right care early can help them recover safely and get back to doing what they love.”
• Children's health is a continuing series. This column was provided by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.