Concussion: Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

Accidents are common, especially in children, as they tend to run, jump, play and climb without thinking about the risks any more. Concussion is one such accident; it is caused by a blow to the head, which causes the brain to strike the skull. In this article, we take a closer look at concussion and its symptoms and treatment.

Symptoms of concussion

The symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not occur until 24-48 hours after the accident. Unfortunately, identifying them is often difficult for babies and young children because they can’t describe how they feel.

The following signs may indicate a concussion:

• Balance and coordination problems. Unstable walking or difficulty performing simple tasks such as playing with a ball.

• Complexity.
• Short-Term Memory Problems.
• Lack of energy.
• Sadness or sensitivity.
• Anxiety and irritability for no apparent reason.
• Difficulty falling asleep.
• Sleeping for too long or too little time.
• Loss of appetite.
• Excessive crying.
• Lack of interest in favorite activities.

If your child falls and suspects he or she has had a concussion, but there are no symptoms, it may be just a minor injury that does not require special treatment or medical evaluation. However, if you notice any of the above symptoms a few hours later, take the child to a hospital or emergency room. There, it is possible to determine if treatment is necessary by doing a few simple tests to determine the cause of the discomfort.

Take the child to the emergency room immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Repeated vomiting.
• Seizures.
• Clear dizziness or loss of balance.
• Severe headache.
• Loss of consciousness, and the child does not wake up.
• The child is confused and does not recognize you.
• The child jokes and has difficulty speaking (for children who are already speaking fluently).
• Child vision problems: dilated pupils, blurred vision and inability to recognize objects.
• The head has a bruise or big bump or swelling and burns (especially in the baby).

Diagnosis of concussion

It is very important to talk to your doctor if you have any questions about a concussion, as a timely diagnosis of concussion as well as orthodontic treatment will ensure that the concussion does not lead to other damage in the future. If you don’t pay attention to your child’s symptoms and fail to act immediately, a concussion can lead to brain damage. It can have bad consequences for a child’s motor function as well as cognitive development and senses.

The doctor will make a thorough assessment of the child’s nervous system function in order to diagnose the lesion. He or she may test the child’s balance, ability to coordinate, and reflexes. Proper diagnosis may also require imaging technology, such as magnetic resonance imaging, to determine the level of involvement of the brain and adjacent structures.

Care

Treatment depends on the severity of the damage and the specific characteristics of the child. If your doctor does not ask your child to stay in hospital, he or she will probably recommend home care, such as:

• Rest and reduce all physical activity for a period of time to avoid further trauma and shorten recovery time.

• Avoid cognitive activities. The child should stay out of school or kindergarten for as long as the symptoms occur so that they do not get worse.
• Then continue to participate in daily activities gradually.
• Drink enough fluids and avoid junk food.

It is important that you are aware of any changes that your child may have during the 48 hours following the accident. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms get worse.

Post-concussion syndrome

Most children fully recover from a concussion with the right kind of treatment. However, in some cases, they may get post-concussion syndrome.

The main feature of this syndrome is the appearance of lesions at the end of the expected recovery time. No one knows why the symptoms get longer in some people over time. In general, they are not directly related to the severity of the trauma, so their incidence may be related to several recent concussions.