Concussion
Treatment:
An initial "baseline" neurological evaluation by a health
care worker determines treatment for an uncomplicated concussion.
If a blow to the head during athletics leads to unconsciousness,
a trained person must determine readiness for continued participation
and timing for return to play. In this situation, if a child
or young adult has lost consciousness, that person should
not resume athletics for a period of three months. Studies
have shown that there is an increased rate of brain
injury and occasionally death in people who have had a
previous concussion with unconsciousness.
Concussion complicated by bleeding
or brain damage must be treated in a hospital.
Expectations (prognosis):
Full recovery is expected from an uncomplicated concussion,
although prolonged dizziness, irritability, headaches, and
other symptoms may occur.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if your child has a head
injury that produced unconsciousness,
or if your child has had a head injury without unconsciousness
that concerns you.
Go to the emergency room, call the local emergency number
(such as 911), or contact your health care provider immediately
if emergency symptoms develop (see the symptoms section).
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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