Understanding Concussions: Symptoms, Causes, and Immediate Care

It’s a typical Saturday morning at the soccer fields. You’re watching your kid duke

it out in a club match against a team from California. The game is intense, and in

the first half your child dives for a loose ball. They collide sharply into another player’s knee. The sharp impact knocks them down. Dazed, they lie there for a moment before slowly sitting up. Your nerves ease a bit as they walk off the field.

The coach benches your child for the remainder of the game and those nerves begin to return. Your team wins, but victory is all but forgotten. Your child still doesn’t feel right. They now whimper of a headache, dizziness, and how the Arizona sun seems brighter than ever.

Your mind starts racing. The questions pour in.

What should I do? Should I give them ibuprofen?

Should I keep them awake? How long?

Do I need to go to the ER? Can they just stay at home and rest?

Will they be okay for school on Monday?

Can this permanently affect my child?

These are the questions we hear all the time—and they’re important. Concussions can be terrifying and confusing, especially when the symptoms aren’t predictable.

So, what should you, as a parent, know about concussions? How can you help your child, or even yourself, recover safely?

To start, let’s talk about some signs that are considered “red flags”; symptoms that indicate your child should be taken to the ER immediately.

1. Seizures

2. Uncontrolled vomiting

3. Severe headache with repetitive vomiting

4. Blood or clear fluid coming from ears

5. Unresponsive

If your child is showing any of these symptoms, do not delay getting them treatment. An Emergency Room trip is imperative.

Sometimes, people will experience “orange flag” symptoms instead of red flags:

1. Feeling slowed down or "not right"

2. Nausea or vomiting (not repeatedly)

3. Headache and pressure

4. Sensitivity to light and/or noise

5. Confusion

6. Emotional changes such as crying or irritability

These individuals should be monitored to see if their symptoms improve with time.

Whether an athlete is displaying red flags, or orange ones, they should be removed from athletics until they are symptom free (and typically, cleared by a qualified medical professional).

Don'ts:

1. Screentime: It’s a good idea to have someone with a head injury avoid extended time on

screens, specifically if their symptoms worsen or they exhibit new ones.

2. Sports, school and work: If your child was sick enough to feel unwell and struggle through the day, it makes the most sense to keep them home from school. The same concept applies to a head injury.

   
   

3. Stimulus: whether from walking through busy hallways, learning a new topic, or participating in PE- all can potentially add more insult to injury.

   
   

4. Repeat a hit: when you already suspect a head injury, protect the brain! Avoid jumping on the bed, rough housing with siblings, or bumping into car doors (all have been real reasons for patients coming to see us).

   
   

5. Push through symptoms: If living normal life is causing headache, dizziness, nausea, or any other symptom to get worse, see a qualified medical provider.

Back to our Saturday soccer player....

Let’s say they are sensitive to light, very fatigued, and have a headache. You feel comfortable that they aren’t displaying any red flags, but what follows in the next 24 hours? Let's address some common myths associated with concussions and tackle what you should do.

Myths:

Sleep restrictions: let them sleep!

Previously, it was generally accepted that sleep cessation was necessary in lieu of a suspected head injury. Keeping a patient awake was thought proper for continually monitoring potentially worsening symptoms that could present a more severe injury (ie: a brain bleed).

We now know that internal bleeding of the brain is rarely associated with concussions; it is also understood that sleep is beneficial for the brain to properly heal.

Cocooning: keeping someone in a dark environment with no stimulus. Although this may be more comfortable for a concussed patient; it is not necessary to lock them away from the world! Finding a comfortable level of light, noise and stimuli is ideal.

Dos:

Relative rest: As noted before, think of a recently concussed person as someone who is sick. You may not be able to see the symptoms, but it is a good idea to allow for relative rest. Put your child on light duty for school and chores initially.

Follow the 2 point rule: The two-point rule means your child should only take part in activities that keep symptoms the same, or increase them by no more than 1–2 points. For example, if your headache’s pain level is a 3/10 and an activity increases it to a 6/10, it's a sign to scale back. Your brain can only take so much!

72 hours after the injury:

If symptoms are improving-try gradually increasing activities again. Resuming too much activity too soon can cause symptoms to return and even worsen. Try a few hours, or half a day of activity initially, then slowly increase the amount. Follow the two point rule to monitor symptoms.

Returning to cognitive activity should always occur before returning to physical activity. Both cognitive and physical symptoms should completely resolve before resuming contact sports. Children should be evaluated by a medical professional before returning to any contact sport if a concussion was their injury.

If symptoms remain steady or worsen, see a medical provider. Your family

pediatrician may be able to assist with monitoring and basic accommodations. Additionally, in most high schools, certified athletic trainers are wonderful resources to utilize. Athletic trainers are skilled in concussion management, and are familiar with local providers capable of specialized concussion treatment.

If specialized care is needed, we at SPARCC are here to provide! We know sometimes the excitement of living life comes with a little risk, and we pride ourselves on being the insurance that keeps our patients confident in seizing the day. Continue to live the carpe diem mindset, and if you need us, we are here!

Please note that this blog post does not serve as medical advice nor substitute for a proper evaluation with a licensed medical provider