Do you have a son or daughter that plays sports? If you do, then you should be aware of the dangerous condition known asTraumatic BrainInjury (T.B.I.)or concussion. New research has shown that for years the medical profession had a misunderstanding of what this is and how to best deal with it. Below is a simple chart that you can use in the event that your child or family member suffers a brain injury.

Here is a list of T.B.I./concussion symptoms.

Symptoms severity progressing from left to right with severe symptoms in bold.

  • Head ache
  • Dizzy or light headed
  • Altered or blurred vision
  • Confusion
  • Altered mental status- difficulty or the inability to concentrate or focus on tasks
  • Feeling “out of it” or “not right”
  • Loss of coordination and or balance
  • Loss of memory
  • Nauseous
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Neck pain
  • Sensitivity to sound
  • Slurred speech
  • Altered mood or abnormal emotional reactions
  • Loss of sensory input such as smell or taste
  • Extreme fatigue or sleepiness
  • Vomiting
  • Abnormal pupil response
  • pupils that remain dilated in bright light or constricted in darkness
  • Abnormal pupil size - one larger than the other
  • Loss of or altered consciousness
  • Yellowish red fluid coming from the nose or ears
  • Non responsiveness
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Body posturing (the body locked into a rigid state of flexion or extension)
  • Labored breathing, diminished pulse and altered blood pressure

If symptoms are severe or are growing more severe (see bolded symptoms above) take your child to the emergency department at the hospital as soon as possible.

What should you as a parent do if your child has been diagnosed with a T.B.I./concussion?

  • Allow them to rest. Sleep is the best cure for a head injury
  • For the first day or two remove from all excessive stimulation. No phone, music, computer, T.V. and etc.
  • As symptoms begin to resolve allow a normal return to daily activities, this includes school or work. It is not necessary to have someone under complete rest unless symptoms return or worsen.
  • When symptoms are minimal light exercise can be resumed
  • Non-contact situations are progressed as symptoms allow
  • Return to contact when full return to play protocol has been accomplished. This should be performed by a Certified Athletic Trainer or someone knowledgeable in the proper handling of concussions
  • If you are unsure or are concerned take your child to a physician or the Emergency room