|A concussion is a brain injury and all are serious.|
|Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.|
|Recognition and proper response to concussions when they first occur can help prevent further injury or even death.|
If you think your athlete has
sustained a concussion…
don't assess it yourself
Take him/her out of play
and seek the advice of a health care professional
How Can I Recognize a Possible Concussion?
To help recognize a concussion, you should watch for the following two things among your athletes:
- Forceful bump/ blow/ jolt to head/ body results in rapid movement of the head.
- Any change in the athlete's behavior, thinking, or physical functioning.
Athletes who experience any of the signs and symptoms listed below after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body should be kept out of play the day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says they are symptom-free and it's OK to return to play.
Concussions Can Affect Kids and Teens in the Classroom
As an A-student and star soccer player, Sarah is accustomed to hard work. However, after she sustained a concussion during a varsity soccer game, her freshman year in high school she found herself taking on a new challenge.
Remember, you can't see a concussion and some athletes may not experience and/or report symptoms until hours or days after the injury. Most people with a concussion will recover quickly and fully. But for some people, signs and symptoms of concussion can last for days, weeks, or longer.