Wisconsin Concussion Fact for Parents Be alert Assess for signs the Contact a What are the signs and and health n care symptoms of a concussion? provider You can’t see a concussion. Signs and symptoms What is a concussion? of concussion can show up right after an injury or may not appear or be noticed until hours or days A concussion is a type of brain injury that changes after the injury. It is important to watch for changes the way the brain normally works. A concussion is in how your child or teen is acting or feeling, if caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head and can symptoms are getting worse, also occur from a blow to the body that causes the or if s/he just feel right.” Most concussions “doesn’t head and occur without loss of consciousness. brain to move rapidly back and forth. Even what seems to If your child or teen reports one or more of the be a mild bump to the head can be serious. symptoms of concussion listed below, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right Concussions can have a more serious on a away. Children and teens are among those at greatest young, developing brain and need to be addressed correctly. risk for concussion. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION SIGNS OBSERVED BY PARENTS OR GURADIANS SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY YOUR CHILD • Numbness or tingling Appears dazed or stunned • • Does not right” Thinking/Remembering: “feel • Is confused events • Difficulty thinking clearly Answers questions slowly • Difficulty concentrating or • Emotional: Repeats questions • remembering • Irritable • Can’t recall events prior to • Feeling more slowed down Sad • the hit, bump, or fall Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy • More emotional than • Can’t recall events the • • Nervous hit, bump, or fall Physical: • Loses consciousness • Headache or in head “pressure” Sleep*: (even briefly) • Nausea or vomiting Drowsy • • behavior or personality Balance problems or dizziness • • Sleeps less than changes Fatigue or feeling tired • • Sleeps more than usual Forgets class schedule or • • Blurry or double vision Has trouble falling asleep • assignments Sensitivity to light or noise •
Wisconsin Concussion Fact for Parents Assess the Be alert for signs and Contact a health care provider What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion? What is a concussion? A concussion is a type of brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. A concussion is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head and can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Even what seems to be a mild bump to the head can be serious. Concussions can have a more serious on a young, developing brain and need to be addressed correctly. You can’t see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after an injury or may not appear or be noticed until hours or days after the injury. It is important to watch for changes in how your child or teen is acting or feeling, if symptoms are getting worse, or if s/he just “doesn’t feel right.” Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness. If your child or teen reports one or more of the symptoms of concussion listed below, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away. Children and teens are among those at greatest risk for concussion. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION SIGNS OBSERVED BY PARENTS OR GURADIANS SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY YOUR CHILD • Appears dazed or stunned • Is confused events • Answers questions slowly • Repeats questions • Can’t recall events prior to the hit, bump, or fall • Can’t recall events the hit, bump, or fall • Loses consciousness (even briefly) • behavior or personality changes • Forgets class schedule or assignments Thinking/Remembering: • Difficulty thinking clearly • Difficulty concentrating or remembering • Feeling more slowed down • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy Physical: • Headache or “pressure” in head • Nausea or vomiting • Balance problems or dizziness • Fatigue or feeling tired • Blurry or double vision • Sensitivity to light or noise • Numbness or tingling • Does not “feel right” Emotional: • Irritable • Sad • More emotional than • Nervous Sleep*: • Drowsy • Sleeps less than • Sleeps more than usual • Has trouble falling asleep n