Comeback Kids – Recovering from a Concussion

This post is written and sponsored by HCA Midwest Health.

Whether Friday night lights fracas, an errant high kick in dance or the mid-air separation of skateboard and skater, more and more young athletes are experiencing concussions or other Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), concussions from sports and recreation-related activities are a leading cause of TBI-related ER visits among children and teens, and they make up approximately 70% of all sports- and recreation-related concussions seen in emergency departments. 

Concussions can sometimes feel like an occupational hazard in today’s kids’ sports, so understanding prevention, concussion protocols, as well as treatment and recovery is a smart move for any parent, says Family Medicine and Sports Medicine Physician, Lori Boyajian-O’Neill, DO of Centerpoint Medical Center and Overland Park Regional Medical Center.  Dr. Boyajian-O’Neill, who has spent the last 10 years of her practice focusing on the brain and sports-related injuries, is a frequent lecturer and speaker on the topic of concussions in young athletes. 

Pregame warmup… and checkup

When our kids’ season opener rolls around, we get to see the result of many hours of training, preparing and practicing. Aside from the training, Dr. Boyajian-O’Neill says, two of the most important parts of preparing for a safe season are the pre-participation examination and educating athletes and their parents on concussion risk, symptoms and what to do if one occurs. 

“It is very important that athletes are educated on the signs, symptoms and behaviors of a concussion to increase their awareness,” she says. “An athlete with knowledge about concussion can more readily recognize the symptoms in themselves and their teammates to ensure they get the help they need.”  

Checking Body and Brain

Many schools and teams today require a pre-participation evaluation prior to allowing an athlete to participate in a sport or activity. This involves a physical performed by your child’s physician. In addition to a physical, Dr. Boyajian-O’Neill recommends concussion education and baseline pre-screening, or neurocognitive testing. 

“The baseline testing gives us a snapshot of a healthy brain,” she explains. “After a head injury or concussion, often cognition is affected. Throughout the recovery process, we are able to test and assess recovery of the athlete’s brain. Once we determine through evaluations that he or she is physically and cognitively back at “baseline,” we are able to determine when it is safe for an athlete to return to sport. 

“Our goal is that all athletes are educated about concussion and have appropriate neurocognitive testing prior to participation. The neurocognitive testing provides data, so a physician can compare functions after a concussion against an accurate baseline.”

Many local high schools are now able to do this testing onsite. Following the testing, the baseline tests are reviewed by a physician or certified athletic trainer to ensure the appropriate validity of the test. These tests are also offered at various clinics in the Kansas City metropolitan area. 

Seeing Stars? Know the signs.

Contrary to what some may think, Dr. Boyajian-O’Neill advises, a concussion doesn’t always mean getting “knocked out.”  In most cases, kids never lose consciousness. Some signs of a concussion may occur right away while others may be delayed. 

Be on the lookout for:

  • Headache 
  • Feeling of “pressure” in the head
  • Dizziness 
  • Ears ringing
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Feeling foggy or confused
  • Unable to remember the fall or injury
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Being dazed or slow to answer questions
  • Fatigue

Symptoms that may show up later:

  • Memory or concentration problems
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Irritability and mood changes
  • Sleep issues – too much or too little

What to do if you think your child has a concussion

If your child shows symptoms after a sport mishap, he or she should be seen right away by either an on-site certified athletic trainer or physician to rule out or diagnose a concussion. If your player does have a concussion, Dr. Boyajian-O’Neill offers the following tips: 

  • Remove from play. 
  • See a concussion management specialist, especially if your child has already suffered from a previous concussion. They can evaluate the symptoms and follow a specific to ensure a safe return to play and school.  
  • Engage in brain rest. This does not mean stay at home in a dark room. It means limit or avoid high stimulus environments that may worsen symptoms and prolong recovery. Your physician will provide details about specific recommendations.  
  • Give it time. Don’t expect your child to get right back to a full day of school after being diagnosed with a concussion. Based on symptoms, your concussion management specialist will help decide if there are any restrictions needed for returning to school.  That may include returning for part of the day, limiting the use of laptops or refraining from physical activities. 

“The most important thing is to make sure your child takes time to recover,” stresses Dr. Boyajian-O’Neill. “He or she shouldn’t try to return to sport too quickly before the brain has healed. This could possibly increase the chance of an additional injury or more damage to the brain.

Getting your athlete back in the game

Centerpoint Medical Center offers an expert sports medicine team, including specialists in concussion, who excel at caring for young athletes. Their goal is to return your child to activities as safely and quickly as possible.  

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