Concussion

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that disrupts your child's brain function. It happens when your child receives a blow or jolt to their head or if their body suffers an accident that makes the brain move back and forth too quickly inside the skull.

These bumps and movements cause your child's brain to twist or bounce around inside the skull, resulting in chemical changes in their brain. Sometimes the brain cells get stretched or damaged as well.

Children often get concussions during active play and when playing sports, but they can happen whenever a child hits their head.

What symptoms does a concussion cause?

Symptoms of a concussion include:

• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Headache
• Fainting
• Extreme drowsiness
• Confusion
• Restlessness
• Nausea and vomiting
• A dilated pupil in one eye
• Uncontrollable crying
• Seizures

Signs of a concussion could take hours or possibly days to appear after your child hits their head.

While most concussions don't cause permanent harm, they can develop into potentially life-threatening injuries if the brain starts to swell, and frequent concussions can lead to long-term brain damage. Therefore, it's essential to take action if your child might have a concussion.

What should I do if my child has a concussion?

You can't tell for sure whether your child has a concussion without an expert evaluation. They might have a concussion and not display any symptoms, so it's always best to be sure and take them to Cali Kids Urgent Care after a nasty knock on the head.

The skilled team conducts concussion screening using the ImPACT® (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test) tool, where they examine your child, ask some questions, and test your child’s:

• Reflexes
• Nerve function
• Coordination
• Balance
• Alertness
• Sight and hearing

Your provider might also order a scan using CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to assess the extent of your child's head injury.

What treatments can help with a concussion?

If your provider at Cali Kids Urgent Care diagnoses a concussion, your child needs to rest and give their brain time to heal. They should stay home from school, avoid sports and other strenuous activities, and stay off their electronic screens.

Recovery from a concussion can take up to three weeks. Your provider is likely to schedule a follow-up consultation to ensure your child has made a complete recovery.

If your child suffers a head injury or you suspect they have a concussion, contact Cali Kids Urgent Care right away or use the online form to schedule a consultation.