How can you protect your child from sports concussions?
As a former soccer player, I know first hand about concussions. Many times going head to head with another player instead of contacting cleanly with the ball, two heads would collide and the potential for a concussion increased. I do not know how many concussions I might possibly have experienced… but the number could have been high.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common brain injury in sports is a concussion. In fact, approximately 300,000 sports-related concussions occur in the United States each year.
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Even what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.
So how can you as a parent decrease the risk of concussion in your children?
- Proper safety equipment - Helmets should be worn in sports like football, baseball or softball to prevent severe injuries like concussions. Protective equipment should fit properly, be well maintained, and be worn consistently and correctly.
- Mouth guards - They cushion blows that cause lost or broken teeth, concussions or jaw fractures.
- Safety Rules – Make sure that they follow the coaches rules for saftey and rules of the game.
- Learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion – Do not let your child participate in sports if they have experienced any of the following symptoms until cleared by a doctor.
- Headache or “pressure” in head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Double or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
- Concentration or memory problems
- Confusion
- Does not “feel right”
Following these important safety guidelines and reviewing them every year with your children will prevent concussion in your child.