Wondering if your child has a concussion? Learn more with these eight tips.
"Don’t tell Coach, mom, but when I fell and hit my head on the ice at practice today, I felt dizzy and saw stars. He won’t let me play if he knows that, and I just have to be there for the game on Thursday."
A statement like this should be a red flag for every parent. Dizziness and stars are not signs of a usual fall – your child may have a concussion, which can happen when a force, such as that fall on the ice or a football tackle or a car crash, stops the head suddenly and the brain continues to move inside the skull.
Not every child is going to tell you about a fall or other injury, particularly if they don’t think they did any damage, and particularly if they’re a teen. Even if you don’t see any cuts or scrapes, trust your instincts. If you notice any of the symptoms below, get them checked out by your doctor, who may prescribe a week or more away from the activity to rest the brain. Symptoms may not show up immediately so keep an eye out.
- Not ‘feeling right'
- Mild to severe headache
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Excessive sleepiness
- Difficulty remembering
- Unusual irritability
For more information on concussions and to download prevention posters, visit fraserhealth.ca/concussion.