Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 3, 2018

With school sports starting back up, what is the best way to prevent and treat concussions? Answer: There’s a lot of conversation going on in the world of sports in regard to concussions—and for good reason. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by an impact or a jolt to the head, or by a hit to the body that causes the brain to move quickly within the skull. These types of impacts generally can cause abnormalities in brain processing and function, resulting in a broad spectrum of symptoms. Prevent injury before it happens There are several things that can help prevent concussion injuries. Be sure to talk with your kids and their coaches to ensure proper safety precautions are taking place. • Make sure your kids are learning and using the right techniques for maneuvers such as tackling. • Make sure they are conditioning and strengthening their core and neck so that their head has strong support. • If the sport requires a helmet or other protective headgear, make sure it fits properly and is in good condition. • Make sure your child knows they should protect their head—being mindful that it’s not a piece of sporting equipment. Concussion signs and symptoms Should your child take a hit to the head or body, watch for the following symptoms: • Headache or a feeling of pressure in the 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 • Just not feeling “right” or feeling “down” Ask the Expert Craig Panos, M.D. Kootenai Clinic FamilyMedicine What todo if your child experiences symptoms If your child experiences concussion symptoms after a hit to the head, remove them from play immediately until they are seen by a medical professional trained in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions. If your child experiences significant symptoms, or if their symptoms worsen quickly, consider taking him or her to the emergency department to be evaluated and rule out more significant injuries. Also, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician, your family physician or a concussion specialist so that they can advise you on treatment and help with return-to-play decisions. Athletes should not return to their sport until they are asymptomatic, have a normal exam and are back at their baseline school performance. Play it safe Dr. Panos is a concussion and sports medicine specialist with Kootenai Clinic. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Panos, call (208) 625-4955 or visit KH.org/familymedicine . 22