10 signs your child has experienced a severe concussion

Your child has been hurt playing sports and has had a concussion. As a parent, you want to know what to do, and what to look for, to make sure your child has a successful and fast recovery. 

Most concussions will resolve themselves with time and rest. But if your child has sustained a more severe injury, further treatment may be required.

Here is what to look for to determine if your child has experienced a significant concussion.

10 signs to watch for:

1.    Neck pain
2.    Increased confusion or irritability
3.    Repeated vomiting
4.    Seizures or convulsions
5.    Weakness in arms/legs
6.    Tingling or burning in arms/legs
7.    Deteriorating or loss of consciousness
8.    Severe or increasing headache
9.    Unusual behaviour
10.  Double vision

What to do if your child is showing these symptoms?

If your child experiences even one of these signs you should immediately take them to the emergency room for a full medical evaluation.   

What to do if you child is not showing these signs?

There is no such thing as a mild concussion. So, even if your child hasn’t show signs of a serious brain injury, they still need complete physical and cognitive rest immediately following a concussion. Make sure he or she gets plenty of sleep at night and rest during the day. Do not allow your child to attend school or play any physical activities as this will hinder the recovery of their brain. Schedule your child to see a physical therapist, your family physician or pediatrician. Your medical professional can give you a better idea of the severity of the concussion, and provide additional resources to aide in your child’s recovery. 

If your child’s symptoms persist a physical therapist can provide further support by developing a treatment plan specifically geared towards your child’s injury.

Return to activity

Most concussions will resolve in 2-3 weeks. Do not rush the recovery process. If your child returns to activity too soon it can make them vulnerable to another concussion. 
Your child should follow a set of guidelines that will gradually return them to activity. Concussions are an invisible injury. Don’t try to manage it on your own. Seek help from a medical professional trained in concussion management. 

Have you or your child recently suffered a concussion? Lifemark services can help. Get back on the road to recovery at [email protected] or visit www.lifemark.ca/concussioncare.