As parents of student athletes, the concern about concussions is real. Headlines often highlight this common sports injury, but being proactive can help keep your child safe and healthy.
In a blog post on the Henry Ford Health website, Dr. Jake Carpenter-Thompson, board-certified neurologist at the Henry Ford Kutcher Clinic for Concussion and Sports Neurology offers his take: “Concussions can be concerning, but they shouldn’t be looked at in a vacuum. It is important to understand an athlete’s overall brain health to help manage recovery after any impact.”
Here’s a guide with actionable tips to help you stay ahead of concussions and protect your young athlete.
1. Start with a brain health baseline
Getting a baseline brain health evaluation for your athlete is an important step. A baseline test provides a snapshot of your child’s brain health when they are at their best — before any injuries occur.
If a concussion or head injury does happen, this baseline serves as a comparison to help doctors track changes and manage recovery more effectively.
“Having an annual evaluation of your athlete’s brain health when they are at their baseline —uninjured — can help diagnose and treat issues when they arise,” says Dr. Carpenter-Thompson.
Tip: Schedule an annual check-up with a sports neurologist. They specialize in managing sports-related brain and nervous system injuries like concussions and can help identify underlying conditions (such as ADHD, depression or migraines) that might affect recovery.
2. Encourage body awareness
Your child is their own best advocate when it comes to their health, says Dr. Carpenter-Johnson. Encourage them to listen to their body and speak up if something feels off.
“The best way to prevent and treat injuries is to teach athletes to listen to their bodies,” says Dr. Carpenter-Thompson. “Being honest about symptoms early on can prevent more serious issues down the road.”
Tip: Teach your child to communicate openly about any symptoms. Headaches, dizziness, or changes in mood should all be cause for a conversation. It’s important for kids to know that ignoring symptoms or playing through pain could worsen an injury.
3. Recognize early signs of concussion
After an injury, it’s important to act quickly. If your child is showing signs of a concussion within the first 24 hours, seek medical attention right away.
Here are key symptoms to watch for:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or nausea
- Confusion or memory trouble
- Irritability or anxiety
- Light sensitivity
- Changes in sleep patterns
Tip: Create a checklist of concussion symptoms. Keep this list handy for games and practices. Share this with coaches and other parents to help monitor athletes during and after play.
4. Understand that brain injuries aren’t limited to sports
Concussions aren’t just limited to hits on the field. They can also result from other activities like falls, car accidents or whiplash. If your child experiences symptoms after any kind of trauma, consult their physician — even if it wasn’t a direct hit to the head.
“Brain injuries can occur from various causes, not just from playing sports,” says Dr. Carpenter-Thompson. “It’s essential to recognize that falls, car accidents or even sudden whiplash can also lead to concussion-like symptoms.”
Tip: Stay vigilant about head safety in all activities. And not just when they are on the field. Make sure your child is wearing appropriate protective gear and encourage safe practices in everyday life.
5. Take a holistic approach to your child’s brain health
While concussions are a major concern, other brain health issues should be monitored. Chronic headaches, dizziness, mood swings and memory problems could indicate deeper issues unrelated to concussions.
“Brain health involves more than just concussions. If your athlete experiences recurring headaches, memory trouble, or mood changes, there may be an underlying neurological issue,” says Dr. Carpenter-Thompson.
Tip: If your athlete frequently complains of these symptoms, schedule a comprehensive neurological evaluation. This will help to rule out any other underlying issues. Regular check-ups help catch potential problems before they become serious.
6. Focus on severity and recovery, not the number of concussions
Each child is different, and the impact and recovery process vary from one person to the next.
“There is no magic number of concussions a brain can sustain. Each person is different,” Dr. Carpenter-Thompson explains. “The severity of the impact and recovery time can vary greatly for numerous reasons. By getting a brain health assessment before the injury, we can provide more targeted care to improve an athlete’s overall clinical course.”
Tip: Stay focused on a complete recovery. Ensure your child gets adequate rest, follows the doctor’s advice and doesn’t return to play too soon. A personalized care plan can help shorten recovery time and improve long-term outcomes.
7. Stay informed and be proactive
As parents, staying educated about concussions and brain health is key. Know the risks, symptoms and treatment options so you can act quickly if needed. Engage with your child’s coaches, trainers, and school about their concussion protocols to ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to safety.
Tip: Stay in touch with your child’s school and sports organization about their concussion prevention policies. Regular communication can help you stay up-to-date on safety practices and injury prevention techniques.
For more information, visit henryford.com. Metro Parent answers your top children’s health questions here.
from Metro Parent https://ift.tt/k0gQ7pI
0 comments:
Post a Comment