Head Injury and Concussion – What to Do and How to Help
Whether you’re a parent of a child with a head injury or a child yourself, you’ll want to be sure you’re fully aware of what to do and how to help. Fortunately, there are some very simple steps you can take to help make the process easier.
Requires immediate removal from athletic participation
Increasingly, laws and regulations require that student-athletes suspected of having a concussion or head injury be removed from athletic participation. These regulations cover a variety of sports, including track, swimming, ultimate frisbee, football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, and tennis.
In addition to the law, the NCAA and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) require student-athletes to be cleared by a licensed healthcare provider before returning to play. These regulations also require that athletes receive information about concussions and sign a waiver.
Several studies have shown that an athlete’s continued participation in sports after a concussion may be associated with adverse effects. These studies have focused on whether or not a concussed athlete is at a risk for re-injury. However, a recent study extended these studies and examined the timing of removal from athletic activity after a concussion. The study analyzed 506 diagnosed SRCs across 18 sports.
The study used clinician questions to investigate the timing of removal from athletic activity after the onset of concussion symptoms. Clinicians reported the timing of symptom onset, as well as the time it took for symptoms to resolve. The clinicians categorized athletes into groups based on symptom onset. The results were inconsistent, with some athletes reporting delayed symptom onset and others reporting immediate onset.
Among athletes with SRCs, immediate removal from the athletic activity was associated with less time spent in a symptomatic state after the concussion. It was also associated with less total time missed from sports. In addition, the time spent in a symptomatic state was not associated with symptom duration.
The current study suggests that immediate removal from the athletic activity may be an effective strategy to optimize recovery after a sport-related concussion. However, it should be viewed as one of many factors that may influence recovery. This is especially true if athletes are not experiencing other factors that predict recoveries, such as prior SRCs, psychiatric disorders, and a pre-existing psychiatric disorder.
A graduated re-entry plan should be developed by the student’s primary care provider and the school nurse. It must include the athlete’s parent and guidance counselor. It should not be completed in one day.
Requires return to learn protocol
Creating a “return to learn protocol” is a must for schools that have a student who has been injured. The guidelines are designed to get students back to full cognitive activity after a concussion. Depending on the extent of the concussion, students may need longer academic accommodations to help them reintegrate into their classrooms.
The protocol is typically managed in a step-by-step progression. The first step is to rest. This can include physical and cognitive rest. After resting, the student should contact his or her coach or school nurse to receive information on returning to school. A school counselor can also assist with questions.
Another important step is to notify the school’s athletic trainer of the injury. The athletic trainer will assess the student’s status and develop a return-to-play protocol.
The CIF Concussion Return to Play Protocol Form is a useful tool for all parties involved in returning a student-athlete to school. This form can also be used to provide guidance to physicians.
It is important to remember that every concussion is unique. It is impossible to make universal recommendations about how to manage a concussion, and every student’s recovery is different. It is best to develop a return-to-learn protocol tailored to the student.
The protocol will include a series of recommendations that are tailored to the student’s level of disability. These may include short-term informal academic adjustments such as early dismissal between classes. However, formal academic adjustments such as Individualized Education Plans may be necessary in rare cases.
The return-to-learn protocol should be based on scientific evidence. It should also be specific to the individual, and a recommended practice is to have a physician customize the plan to the specific needs of the student.
The return to learn protocol is one of the most important steps to help a student reintegrate into his or her school environment after a concussion. The guidelines are designed to allow students to safely return to classroom learning. This can include academic accommodations such as extended breaks, extra time to complete tests, and reduced exposure to computer screens.
Requires teachers and teachers’ aides to complete a training course in concussions and traumatic brain injuries
Creating a safe environment for students involves a number of different factors, including the removal of student-athletes with signs and symptoms of a concussion. One of the best ways to help ensure safety is to train school personnel on the proper protocols for the handling of a concussion.
The first thing to do is to identify what constitutes a concussion. The most common causes of a concussion are a head bump, fall, or collision with an object. The most important step is to remove the student-athlete from the activity for a minimum of a week. In some cases, a student may be able to return to school right away.
Another requirement for a concussion program is to keep track of the number of concussions each student-athlete sustains. The number can be calculated from a statewide database. The report can be accessed by all hospitals involved in the care of trauma patients.
The report should be accompanied by a comprehensive training program on the subject. The training program should cover the basics of concussions, such as how to recognize a concussion, what constitutes a concussion, and how to deal with a concussed student. A concussion protocol should also be in place, requiring the coordinated efforts of school personnel to recommend adjustments and implement them.
In addition to the above-mentioned training program, schools are required to create an educational fact sheet on sports-related concussions. The department of education website is a good place to start, listing approved training programs and resources. There are several free online courses available for interested high school students and teachers. The National Federation of High Schools also provides free online training in concussions in sports.
The department of education has developed a concussion training website, which provides print and online training materials. The site also includes concussions by hazard list, concussion safety tips, and other resources. A number of schools also offer concussion training in person. The Department of Public Health has written concussion materials in Spanish and has a list of approved training in the aforementioned languages.
Symptoms persist for months
Symptoms persist for months after head injury and concussion can be a source of frustration and anxiety. They can also affect your mental health and other factors in your life. It’s important to seek medical help if you think you’re experiencing these symptoms.
Symptoms of a concussion may last longer than a few days after the primary injury, but they usually go away within a few weeks. This is due to the fact that the brain uses a series of pathways to process information. In the event that one of the pathways becomes damaged, the brain will use a less efficient pathway. This process is called “suboptimal signaling.” Think of it like taking a frontage road instead of a highway. This causes the body to use more gas and makes it take longer to get to the same destination.
When symptoms of concussion persist beyond the initial period of recovery, they are referred to as a post-concussion syndrome. PCS symptoms may include dizziness, headaches, fatigue, reduced tolerance for stress, or memory problems.
Some researchers have suggested that prolonged symptoms may be caused by physical brain damage. For example, if you’ve been involved in an auto accident, your brain may be damaged from violent shaking. However, other factors are also responsible for this type of prolonged symptoms. These include depression, anxiety, and significant life stress.
Symptoms of concussion and post-concussion syndrome can cause a downward spiral of emotional and physical symptoms. Patients may be referred to a neurologist, psychiatrist, or licensed counselor to treat their mental health problems. Depending on the symptoms, they may also be prescribed antidepressants. The goal is to manage the symptoms and help you return to normal.
The post-concussion syndrome may occur in people who have a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention. This may include an MRI to see if there is any structural damage in the brain.
The symptoms of post-concussion syndrome can affect your quality of life, but most patients recover without complications. However, there is no single test or specific treatment for this condition.
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