The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are up to 3.8 million concussions a year in the United States. Most of these affect kids playing sports. If you have a young athlete in your family, it’s important they understand how serious a concussion can be.
At offices in Wilmington, Delaware, and Springfield, Pennsylvania, pain management specialist Steven Grossinger, DO, offers concussion evaluations and cutting-edge treatments to help relieve concussion-related headaches.
Dr. Grossinger also can address other post-concussion symptoms that might interfere with your child’s health and ability to be active.
Understanding concussions
A concussion is a brain injury that results from trauma. If an athlete falls and hits their head on the court, gets hit in the head with a baseball, or collides with another athlete, it can result in a concussion.
This type of brain trauma can interfere with the electrical and chemical connections of your brain and lead to persistent headaches, vision disturbances, and memory loss.
Because of the potential for ongoing health issues, it’s vital that you seek an evaluation right away after any type of head trauma. An evaluation is necessary even if your child doesn’t lose consciousness or experience other concussion symptoms right away.
For those without initial symptoms, pain and other problems might develop gradually and worsen over time. Young athletes need to know about the complications a concussion can cause so they can get the treatment they need after a head injury without delay.
What to tell young athletes about concussions
Every athlete should be familiar with concussions and take steps to protect themselves, especially during high-impact sports and when riding a bike.
You should remind your child to tell you or a coach anytime they take a hit to their head. Also, discuss what symptoms to look out for.
Symptoms of a concussion can include:
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Ringing in the ear
- Memory issues
A concussion also can cause nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. These symptoms can develop soon after an injury or weeks later.
Athletes with a concussion also may experience persistent symptoms related to post-concussion syndrome. This condition can cause persistent headaches, limited concentration, loss of coordination, and ongoing dizziness.
Treatment options for post-concussion syndrome
The treatment plan for a concussion depends on the type and severity of the symptoms. After Dr. Grossinger confirms a concussion, he may perform neurological tests and other assessments to determine how best to treat your child’s symptoms.
The goal of each treatment plan is to get young athletes back to the game as safely and quickly as possible. Dr. Grossinger can relieve chronic headaches with medications and exercises.
He also may refer you for specialized care, such as cognitive therapy to treat memory loss or other cognitive issues.
Dr. Grossinger also provides you and your young athlete with information to prevent additional concussions when they return to their favorite sport.
If you’re concerned that your child has a concussion, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Steven Grossinger, DO, today. Call the office nearest you or book using the online form.