Sports fans must all be scratching their heads lately. What will the future hold? Answers are short. I am of course talking about concussions in sports being all over the news. Is anyone really that surprised though? The signs, dangers and treatments for concussions aren’t any mystery to anyone who has taken a CPR and First Aid class. Any bump to the head that results in more than a lump and some sharply pronounced foul language isn’t good. It probably means there is a concussion.
Come on, does it take a Doctor to know it’s not good for you to keep getting hit in the head, especially after getting knocked out because you just got hit in the head?
In short, when you get a bump to the head, your skull stops moving and your brain doesn’t. It bounces inside your skull, potentially damaging it. Of course the amount of “bump” makes a big difference. Sports like boxing, mixed martial arts, football and hockey are prime examples of when hard hits to the head are common. We always teach the signs of concussions in our CPR classes, and while we would love for you to join us, we are good with giving this information to you regardless.
After getting knocked in the head, look out for the following signs of concussions:
- Loss of consciousness
- Repeating questions or statements – memory loss
- Vomiting
- Nose bleed
- Excessive aggression
- Disorientation
- Any difference in vision, or orientation of the eyes
- ANY CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR
Professional, college and high school sports have had their share of news about concussions in the past few years. Just this week, CNN reported a class-action lawsuit filed against the Illinois High School Association over concussions protocols and management. Concussion related news has increased exponentially, potentially impacting how sports and athletes are managed entirely.
Mysterious is the fact that this has taken so long for this all to come to the surface. Basic CPR and First Aid knowledge isn’t held back from athletic medical professionals. I wonder how anyone could plead ignorance to the indications and dangers of concussions. It’s not only a matter of education, but a matter of making good decisions. And of course now it has become a matter of lawsuits forcing these decisions.
Treatment for concussions should always be directed by medical professionals. If someone gets whacked in the head and displays any of the above symptoms, they need to get real medical help right away. Usually, the treatment involves rest.
The Mayo Clinic lists the following as treatments for concussions:
- Physical Rest – avoid physical exertion including sports and all vigorous activities
- Mental Rest – avoid thinking and mental concentration including limiting work, TV, reading, video games, texting, using a computer
- Follow Doctors Orders as to when a return to normal activity can resume. If concussions aren’t allowed to heal, further injuries and repeat concussions can be catastrophic.
Of course, we can’t have an article about concussions without mentioning children and letting them sleep, right? Most of us have “heard” that you shouldn’t let a child sleep after they get knocked in the head. If you have a child, you know that you never “let” a child go to sleep. You have to make them go to sleep. After a child bangs their head, they come to you and want to take a nap – something is wrong. Remember the screaming all-caps line above – ANY CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR after banging your head is a red flag.
Take a serious knock to the head seriously, so you can seriously get on with your life.