Diagnosis, Treatment And Symptoms Of Concussion

Accidents are common among children as they tend to run, jump, play and climb constantly. One of these accidents can include concussion. A concussion is caused by a blow to the head that causes the brain to hit the skull. In this article, we take a closer look at the diagnosis, treatment and symptoms of concussion.

Symptoms of concussion

Symptoms of concussion can be subtle and may not manifest until 24 to 48 hours after the injury. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to recognize them in infants and young children because they cannot describe how they feel.

Some signs that may indicate shock are the following:

• Problems with balance and coordination. Unstable gait and difficulty performing simple tasks such as playing with a ball

• Confusion
• Short-term memory problems
• Lack of energy
• Sadness or sensitivity
• Anxiety and irritation seemingly without cause
• Difficulty sleeping
• They sleep too long or too little
• Lack of appetite
• Excessive crying
• Lack of interest in their favorite activities

If your child falls and you suspect that they may have had a concussion, but there are no symptoms, there may be a small injury that does not require treatment or medical supervision.

If you notice any of the symptoms we mentioned above a few hours later, you must take the child to the doctor or emergency room. They will be able to determine if treatment is needed with a few simple tests to determine the cause of the discomfort.

Take your child to the emergency room immediately in the following cases: 

• Repeated vomiting
• Seizure
• Clear dizziness or lack of balance
• Severe headache
• Lack of consciousness or that they do not wake up
• The child is confused or does not recognize you
• They babble and have difficulty speaking (in cases where the child is already speaking fluently)
• The child has visual disturbances: dilated pupils, blurred vision and does not recognize objects
• There is a hematoma or large lump in the head or swelling and burning (especially in babies)

Diagnosis of concussion

It is very important to consult your doctor if you have any questions, because it is important to diagnose a concussion in time and treat it properly so that it does not develop into future injuries.

If you are not aware of your child’s symptoms and do not act immediately, the shock can lead to brain damage. It can have negative consequences for their motor function as well as cognitive and sensory development.

A doctor will perform a thorough evaluation of the function of the child’s nervous system in order to diagnose this type of injury. They can test the child’s balance, coordination and reflexes. In addition, proper diagnosis may require imaging technology such as CT or MRI scans to determine the degree of involvement of the brain and its structures.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the severity and the specific characteristics of the child. If the doctor does not plan hospitalization, they will most likely recommend home care such as:

• Rest and avoid heavy physical activity for a certain period of time to prevent further injuries and not have to extend the recovery period.
• Avoid any kind of cognitive activity. For example, the child must be home from school or kindergarten as long as they have symptoms so that they do not worsen.
• Gradually start everyday activities again. 

• The child will need to drink a certain amount of fluid and avoid junk food. 

Persistent symptoms of concussion: Postconcussion syndrome

Most children recover completely after a concussion with the right treatment. In some cases, however, they may be affected by postconcussion syndrome . 

The main feature of this syndrome is manifestations of the lesion symptoms when the expected recovery period is over. No one knows why the symptoms persist in some people. Usually, they are not directly related to the severity of the trauma. The cases may therefore have something to do with several recent concussions.