Twenty-eight percent football players ages 5 to 14 get injured while playing in a football game, according to the National Center for Sports Safety. Football is considered to be a contact sport. Contact sports are those that involve intense and potentially dangerous physical contact between team players. As a result, many people consider football to be dangerous and violent sport. Kids who play contact sports such as football often have a greater risk for experiencing head injuries. However, taking some simple safety precautions can help prevent fun youth football games from turning into a trip to the emergency room.
Types of Injuries
Concussions and hematomas are two types of head injuries that kids can get if injured while playing football. A concussion is a head injury that occurs when something strikes the head hard, jerking the brain. A hematoma is a head injury that occurs when a sudden, hard blow causes blood to collect inside the brain or between the layers of tissue that surround the brain. These injuries can occur due to rough tackles, falls or impact from a football. According to MedlinePlus.com, concussions and hematomas are serious injuries that can potentially cause permanent brain damage in severe or untreated cases.
Symptoms
Kids who have experienced a blow to the head while playing football should be checked immediately for signs of injury. According to MedlinePlus.com, common symptoms associated with concussions and hematomas include loss of consciousness, confusion, dizziness, headache, nausea, memory loss, slurred speech, vomiting and numbness. Kids who experience seizures, persistent vomiting, strange eye movements or have trouble walking should see a doctor immediately. Doctor can conduct an MRI, CT or EEG test to confirm to dismiss the presence of a concussion or hematoma.
Treatments
Kids who have suffered from a concussion should not start playing football again for at least three months so the injury can heal, according to MedlinePlus.com. Over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol may help ease headaches. Severe concussions may require hospitalization. To treat hematomas, doctors often prescribe corticosteroid medications to reduce swelling. Anticonvulsant medications may be required to help stop seizures. If the hematoma is severe, surgery may be necessary to relieve the pressure on the brain.
Prevention
Head injuries often occur in youth football when kids fail to wear the proper safety equipment. Wearing a safety helmet helps protect the head from potential impact. Since football is such a high-contact sport, it is extremely important for players to wear a safety helmet at all times. Most football helmets come equipped with a sturdy mask that protects the face and snugly-fitting strap that protects the chin.
