What You Need to Know About Concussions in Youth Sports

Whether your child is a football player or a cheerleader, there's always the chance they could suffer from a concussion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), concussions account for nearly 15 percent of all high school sports injuries. If your child suffers a concussion during a sporting activity, they must be evaluated and treated as soon as possible.

What is a Concussion?

Concussions are the most common form of traumatic brain injury. They range from mild to severe and are generally caused by trauma or impact to the head. The most common cause of concussions in youth sports is head-to-head collisions, but they can also be caused by falls or a hit from an object such as a stick or elbow.

"A concussion is essentially when your head or neck sustains a blow or a jolt which causes the brain to rapidly move in your skull," says Matthew McMahon, DPT, and Doylestown Health Physical Therapist. "In addition to swelling and bruising, there are chemical reactions occurring as a result of the injury."

Signs and Symptoms of Youth Concussions

Dr. McMahon says not all concussions present the same. In mild cases, your child may not have any symptoms or suffer from a delayed response, where symptoms don't appear until days after the injury.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of concussions that parents and coaches should look for include:

• Appearing dazed or confused
• Answering questions slowly
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Concentration or memory problems
• Double vision
• Feeling sluggish or foggy
• Forgetting instructions
• Headaches
• Loss of consciousness
• Moving clumsily
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or noise

If your child experiences any of the symptoms below, you should take them to the emergency room:

• A loss of consciousness lasting more than a minute
• Repeated vomiting
• Seizures
• Obvious difficulty with mental function or physical coordination

Diagnosing Youth Concussions

Concussions can be problematic to diagnose because you may not be able to see evidence of an injury. Your child's healthcare provider may perform several tests to confirm a concussion diagnosis.

Some of the tests include:

• Cognitive testing: To evaluate your child's ability to remember information and your concentration.
• Imaging: Tests such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be recommended to examine the brain for changes or diagnose complications.
• Neurologic exam: This will be performed by your child's healthcare provider and will include checking their balance, coordination, reflexes, vision, and strength.

"If you see that your child suffers any type of head injury during a sporting event or you suspect they may have a concussion, it's important to remove them from activity until they can be properly evaluated," Dr. McMahon says.

If your child is injured during a sporting event, Dr. McMahon says an athletic trainer or another medical professional is generally available to evaluate the injury. However, if your child is injured during a practice or a medical professional is not available, you should take your child to urgent care or the emergency room.

Treating Youth Concussions

When treating youth concussions, Dr. McMahon says that rest is important. "After suffering a concussion, the brain needs a break to recover. That means no activity, limited electronics, and light so the brain can heal," he says.

The recovery time for concussions may vary depending on the severity of the symptoms and how quickly they resolve. However, if your child is diagnosed with a concussion, they should receive clearance from their doctor before returning to their sport.

Dr. McMahon says rehabilitation may be necessary if symptoms are severe or persist beyond a few weeks. "Doylestown Health's concussion management program is designed to help people who suffer concussions resume their daily activities. Therapy may be a combination of physical therapy, vestibular therapy, and speech therapy," he says.

Preventing Youth Concussions

Although concussions can't be avoided entirely, you can help your child reduce their risk of concussion. Some things you can do to help your child avoid concussions include:

• Avoid unnecessary contact: The best way to avoid a concussion is by avoiding contact, especially when it's not necessary.
• Educate your child: Concussions are common, and many young athletes may not understand the risks associated with concussions. Teach your child about concussions and why they should be cautious.
• Play safely: High-contact sports have rules to help minimize the chance of concussions. Help your child exercise caution and understand how to play safely.
• Purchase adequately fitted protective equipment: Ensure your child's protective gear, such as helmets and mouth guards, fit properly.

"The best treatment for concussions is prevention. Young athletes should understand the importance of playing sports safely and avoiding concussions. Multiple concussions may lead to long-term deficits," Dr. McMahon says.

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