Concussion Awareness
Download the Concussion awareness card (PDF)
WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?
A concussion is a brain injury that cannot be seen on x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. It affects the way your child may think and remember things, and can cause a variety of symptoms.
THINKFIRST-SPORTSMART CONCUSSION EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF A CONCUSSION?
It is important to know that your child does not need to be knocked out (lose consciousness) to have had a concussion. A variety of problems may happen after a concussion, including:
Thinking Problems
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Does not know time, date, place, period of game, score of opposing team, score of game
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General confusion
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Cannot remember things that happened before and after the injury
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Knocked out
Athlete's Complaints
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Headache
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Dizziness
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Feels dazed
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Feels “dinged” or stunned; “having my bell rung”
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Sees stars, flashing lights
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Ringing in the ears
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Sleepiness
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Loss of vision
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Sees double or blurry
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Stomachache/stomach pain, nausea
Other Problems
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Poor coordination or balance
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Blank stare/glassy eyed
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Vomiting
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Slurred speech
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Slow to answer questions or follow directions
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Easily distracted
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Poor concentration
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Strange or inappropriate emotions (i.e. laughing, crying, getting mad easily)
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Not playing as well
WHAT CAUSES A CONCUSSION?
Any blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the body which causes a sudden jarring of the head may cause a concussion (i.e. a helmet to the head, being knocked to the ground).