Even minor concussions can threaten your child's health. According to KidsHealth.org, more than 400,000 children visit the emergency room for serious brain injuries every year. Concussions can be difficult to diagnosis because internal damage can occur without any noticeable external damage. Additionally, the symptoms of a concussion might not be noticeable immediately after the injury, making it important for you to continue monitoring your children after the initial contact to the head. If you do think a concussion has occurred, call your doctor or take your child to the emergency room.
Step 1
Check for concussion symptoms immediately after your child has an impact to his head. Developments that occur soon after a concussion can include headaches, cranial pressure, confusion or amnesia, a temporary loss of consciousness, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, fatigue or slurred speech, according to MayoClinic.com. Small children can also develop changes in their eating or sleeping patterns, a loss of interest in their favorite toys, and difficulty balancing and walking. One or more of these may develop, indicating a possible concussion.
Step 2
Keep an eye on your child and monitor them for symptoms that may have a delayed development. These can take hours or days to develop but may still indicate a concussion. According to MayoClinic.com, they can include difficulty concentrating or remembering facts, irritability, personality changes, light and noise sensitivity, problems sleeping, depression, and changes to their sense of taste and smell.
Step 3
Take your child to a doctor to have a concussion diagnosed. The doctor will give your child neurological tests that will likely include a CT scan, allowing them to look at the brain and the areas where the damage has occurred. Only a doctor can confirm the occurrence of a concussion.
