Salt Lake Regional Medical Center

Concussions — Nothing to Play With If your child plays a sport, risk of injury is a given. While playing through a scraped knee or whack in the shin may be fine, “powering through” an injury to the head is not. A concussion is a brain injury and should be taken seriously. It can occur without loss of consciousness and can happen during any sport or physical activity. Because you cannot see a concussion like you can a broken arm or busted knee, it’s imperative to watch for symptoms several days or even weeks after the injury. Initial signs of a concussion as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may include: Balance issues or feelings of dizziness. Blurry or double vision. Confusion. Difficulty concentrating. Headache. Inability to recall events prior to or after a hit or fall. Loss of consciousness, even briefly. Nausea or vomiting. Sensitivity to light and/or noise. These symptoms can linger for days — even weeks — and can be exacerbated by physical and mental activity. Next Steps If you believe your athlete has a concussion, you should seek immediate medical attention for him or her. “The key to recovering from a concussion is both physical and mental rest,” says Stephen Kirk, M.D., primary care and sports medicine physician on the medical staff at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center. “Concussion symptoms can differ significantly, both in symptom type and severity, which can make proper diagnosis and return to play decisions very difficult. If your athlete displays signs of a concussion, he or she should be restricted from anything that makes symptoms worse, particularly strenuous or contact activities. A medical provider with experience in the diagnosis and management of concussions is very important and can be a great resource to guiding your athlete through a graduated return-to-play protocol.” Visit sportsmedutah.com to learn more about sports-related injuries and available services.

• Cover