Initial Management of Concussion and Head Injury You or your child are/is suspected of having sustained a concussion. In compliance with 2011 Wisconsin Act 172, any athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion must be removed from participation in youth athletics and be evaluated by an appropriate health care provider. What is a Concussion? A concussion is an injury to the brain that impairs normal brain function. Any disruption normal brain function Caused by forceful bump, blow, jolt to head, neck, face, or body; Or through collision, fall, or whiplash injury Evolving injury - Symptoms may not appear for several hours or even days post-injury Many concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness Functional disturbance, NOT structural injury Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion Headache Nausea Vomiting Balance Problems Dizziness Fatigue Trouble Falling Asleep Waking At Night Sleeping More Than Irritability Sadness Nervousness Sleeping Less Than Usual Numbness/Tingling Drowsiness Difficulty Concentrating Sensitivity to Light Sensitivity to Noise Feeling Slowed Down Difficulty Remembering Feeling More Emotional (or a change in emotions) Does not right” Confusion “feel Feeling Mentally Visual Problems (double vision, blurring, lines, spots) “Foggy”, “Sluggish”, “Hazy”, “Groggy” Symptoms may present within minutes of sustaining a head injury, but may also not appear until 1-2 days after an injury occurs. Symptoms may take 72 hour to peak so it is important to monitor possible concussions or head injuries for a minimum of 72 hours. Symptoms may appear to improve or worsen throughout the course of the day or over the period of a few days. Recovery When properly for and managed, most concussions resolve well within 2-3 weeks. Best practices for concussion management include: Immediate removal from play or if an injury is suspected. Early initiation and continued compliance with recommendations for symptom management. Early evaluation and management by a healthcare provider trained and experienced in concussions. Avoidance of a second hit, impact, or jostling to the head or body. This can worsen the actual injury. Monitored and stepwise progression into physical activity and other activities that are symptom-provoking. Each head injury is different. Symptoms and general length of recovery time are dependent upon the level of force applied to the brain, the location(s) of the brain by which the force is absorbed, age, gender, previous concussions, conditions and medical histories, and more. Initial Management
Initial Management of Concussion and Head Injury You or your child are/is suspected of having sustained a concussion. In compliance with 2011 Wisconsin Act 172, any athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion must be removed from participation in youth athletics and be evaluated by an appropriate health care provider. What is a Concussion? A concussion is an injury to the brain that impairs normal brain function. Any disruption normal brain function Caused by forceful bump, blow, jolt to head, neck, face, or body; Or through collision, fall, or whiplash injury Evolving injury - Symptoms may not appear for several hours or even days post-injury Many concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness Functional disturbance, NOT structural injury Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion Headache Nausea Vomiting Balance Problems Dizziness Fatigue Trouble Falling Asleep Waking At Night Sleeping More Than Irritability Sadness Nervousness Sleeping Less Than Usual Numbness/Tingling Drowsiness Difficulty Concentrating Sensitivity to Light Sensitivity to Noise Feeling Slowed Down Difficulty Remembering Feeling More Emotional (or a change in emotions) Does not “feel right” Confusion Feeling Mentally “Foggy”, “Sluggish”, “Hazy”, “Groggy” Visual Problems (double vision, blurring, lines, spots) Symptoms may present within minutes of sustaining a head injury, but may also not appear until 1-2 days after an injury occurs. Symptoms may take 72 hour to peak so it is important to monitor possible concussions or head injuries for a minimum of 72 hours. Symptoms may appear to improve or worsen throughout the course of the day or over the period of a few days. Recovery When properly for and managed, most concussions resolve well within 2-3 weeks. Best practices for concussion management include: Immediate removal from play or if an injury is suspected. Early initiation and continued compliance with recommendations for symptom management. Early evaluation and management by a healthcare provider trained and experienced in concussions. Avoidance of a second hit, impact, or jostling to the head or body. This can worsen the actual injury. Monitored and stepwise progression into physical activity and other activities that are symptom-provoking. Each head injury is different. Symptoms and general length of recovery time are dependent upon the level of force applied to the brain, the location(s) of the brain by which the force is absorbed, age, gender, previous concussions, conditions and medical histories, and more. Initial Management
Initial_Management_Appendix_F.docx