Concussion Diagnosis and Management
As we have said before, the foundation of concussion management is initial testing, or baseline testing. If you are an athletic director, a sports coach, or another organization that responds to concussion, you should have a concussion protocol/policy. If you are a parent of a child participating in athletics, you should ask what policy the organization has in place for diagnosing and managing concussions. All concussion protocols should include a baseline concussion test as a foundation that the rest of the plan is built upon.
We’ve all heard the stories of the person who suffered a hard hit, was dizzy, but returned to the field to make a game-saving play. Luckily, more and more people are questioning stories, and making sure that the athlete’s health is the top priority rather than the score of the game.
The best concussion protocols involve a variety of teammates, coaches, and care providers. There should be a trained healthcare provider familiar with concussion care that acts as the point person in charge of the concussion care team. An athletic trainer should also be available to conduct sideline evaluations and they are responsible for removing the athlete from participation, if necessary. In a school setting, nurses and teachers should monitor the student’s symptoms and make academic adjustments if necessary.
Outside of the organization, brain centers like NeuraPerformance Brain Center - A Plasticity® Company in Denver can provide expert knowledge and advanced technology, like Dynavision and Gyrostim to help aid in concussion recovery.
Diagnosis
It’s important for everyone involved in organizations where there is a risk of concussion to understand the signs and symptoms of concussions. From teammates to parents to coaches to outside supports like NeuraPerformance Brain Center, we’re all responsible for helping build a safer sports environment!
Symptoms of concussions generally fall into the following four categories:
- Thinking and remembering - difficulty with school, confusion, or feeling in a fog
- Physical - headache, blurred vision, nausea, and balance problems
- Emotional - sadness, irritability, increased anxiety
- Sleep - sleeping too much or not enough
If you or someone you know has experienced an injury that may be a concussion, watch out for these signs of concussions and notify a health care professional immediately. The best practice when it comes to concussion treatment is quick diagnosis and concussion treatment before the symptoms get worse.
We don’t want kids to stop playing contact sports, we just want them to do it safely!
We love sports and we fully believe that participating in high-school athletics builds life-long skills. People who play competitive sports learn confidence, leadership, and improved fitness. For many teens, participating in athletics means fewer missed school days and a higher GPA. Sports also give students positive mentors and social relationships.
With all of the news about concussions and post-concussion syndrome, many parents are hesitant about signing their children up for football or other contact sports. Here at NNeuraPerformance Brain Center - A Plasticity® Company, our goal is to use technology to make contact sports safer. If you’re worried about your child’s brain health, please get in touch with our Denver center and we can schedule baseline testing or make a concussion recovery plan.
