Any kind of personal injury can be quite devastating and result in lifelong injuries. And while no serious personal injury should be looked at as more of less severe than others, over the past several months there has been an increasing amount of media attention given to the risks that athletes have when it comes to brain injuries.
Recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also released a report claiming that the number of children being diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries has increased by 60 percent over the past 10 years. And while these brain injuries, including concussions, can be caused by things like being in a car accident or a playground injury, one pediatric neurosurgeon is pointing to the fact that the increase coincides with more children being involved in contact sports.
Additionally, the pediatric neurosurgeon also points to the fact that the heightened awareness of the symptoms and signs of concussions had also led to more parents and coaches making sure children receive proper medical attention after any kind of head injury, which has also led to more children being diagnosed with brain injuries.
In general, there are some red flags that parents, coaches and medical providers should all be aware of when it comes to a child with a concussion. For example, if after a child takes a hit to the head, and the child has a worsening headache, is vomiting, having trouble moving parts of their body and/or has seizures, medical attention should be sought out immediately.
Aside from the symptoms of a concussion worsening, it's also important to remember that a second concussion occurring after a child has not fully recovered from a first concussion, is also significantly more dangerous.