It’s more than a bump on the head

Posted: July 15, 2015

Summer is here and hopefully everyone is more active: playing sports, gardening, walking, swimming, and bicycling. With increased physical activity, it is important to remember to protect your head. A blow to the head happens quickly and easily for young children and can cause long term, serious, and permanent damage even to adults. Bumps, blows, hits, and falls can cause a concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

A concussion is a bruise to the brain, one type of traumatic brain injury.

Signs and symptoms of a concussion may include:

* Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
* Temporary loss of consciousness
* Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
* Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
* Dizziness or "seeing stars"
* Ringing in the ears;
* Nausea, vomiting
* Slurred speech
* Delayed response to questions
* Appearing dazed
* Fatigue

Some symptoms of concussions may be immediate or delayed in onset by hours or days after injury, such as:

* Concentration and memory complaints
* Irritability and other personality changes
* Sensitivity to light and noise
* Sleep disturbances
* Psychological adjustment problems and depression
* Disorders of taste and smell

Symptoms in children may look different because they may not be able to describe how they feel. Nonverbal clues of a concussion may include:

* Appearing dazed
* Listlessness and tiring easily
* Irritability and crankiness
* Loss of balance and unsteady walking
* Crying excessively
* Change in eating or sleeping patterns
* Lack of interest in favorite toys

If your child receives a blow to the head watch carefully and seek medical treatment if there are any signs of injury.


Long-term effects of such an injury can be devastating, and may include:

* Memory problems
* Lack of inhibition
* Intense anger and/or aggression
* Personality changes
* Inattention and lack of concentration
* Problems organizing, planning, and problem solving
* Language impairment

To help your child after a bump to the head

First, allow your child to get plenty of rest. The child should not read or play games that require thinking, should not do sports, or climb or run. If the child must listen to anything, sounds should be calm and soft, with no stimulation from TV, videos or electronic games. Rest is the best way to allow the brain to heal.

Take care of your child's brain to help it develop to its full potential.
Have fun and be safe.

Resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

KidsHealth from Nemours