Concussions: Serious Injuries

A concussion occurs when an individual sustains a blow to the head causing an change in brain function, including mental status and consciousness. Concussions involving only a momentary loss of consciousness and quick return to normal alertness are often referred to as “minor” head injuries; however, such “minor” injuries can have very serious consequences.

Postconcussion syndrome is a common consequences of such “minor” traumatic brain injuries and symptoms include headaches, dizziness, irritability, faulty memory, lack of energy and more and may not show up until weeks later. If an individual returns to play a sport too soon, he or she may risk developing or even further aggravating postconcussion syndrome.

Moreover, if a person returns to activity before completely healing and suffers a second concussion before the original symptoms have gone away, he or she could risk developing second impact syndrome, a condition in which the brain swells catastrophically even if only receiving a mild blow, that could have debilitating or even deadly consequences.

Coaches, parents and others in authority need to understand that there is nothing minor about “minor” concussions. Be proactive if your child plays sports and don’t allow the coach to put your child back in after sustaining a blow to the head.