Recognizing Concussion Concussions do not always involve a loss of consciousness. ANY traumatic blow to the head or to another part of the body (which causes a whiplash effect to the head) should be considered as a mechanism of concussion injury. While headache is the most common symptom of concussion, all people will experience concussion differently. Therefore, all of the potential signs and symptoms of concussion should be considered. A symptom checklist can assist the evaluator in making a more objective return to play decision. If a player sustains any signs or symptoms of concussion, he/she must be pulled from play. Only an athletic trainer or a physician may clear the athlete to return to play. Concussion Signs and Symptoms Amnesia Poor concentration Sensitivity to light Loss of orientation Easily distracted Headache Balance problems Personality changes Sluggishness Memory problems Eyed” Inappropriate emotions “Glassy rung” Excessive sleep change in personality “Bell Nausea Ringing in the ears Sensitivity to noise Dazed or Confused Fatigue Irritability Nervousness Sadness sleep disturbance Depression Feeling a fog” Loss of consciousness “in Numbness or tingling Seeing Vacant stare “stars” Double vision Feeling down” Vomiting “slowed Drowsiness ALL ATHLETES WHO EXHIBIT ANY OF SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS “ROCKED” SHOULD BE REFERRED IMMEDIATELY TO THE ATHLETIC TRAINER /OR A PHYSICIAN!!! Recovery
Recognizing Concussion Concussions do not always involve a loss of consciousness. ANY traumatic blow to the head or to another part of the body (which causes a whiplash effect to the head) should be considered as a mechanism of concussion injury. While headache is the most common symptom of concussion, all people will experience concussion differently. Therefore, all of the potential signs and symptoms of concussion should be considered. A symptom checklist can assist the evaluator in making a more objective return to play decision. If a player sustains any signs or symptoms of concussion, he/she must be pulled from play. Only an athletic trainer or a physician may clear the athlete to return to play. Concussion Signs and Symptoms Amnesia Loss of orientation Balance problems Memory problems “Bell rung” Nausea Dazed or Confused Nervousness Depression Numbness or tingling Double vision Drowsiness Poor concentration Easily distracted Personality changes “Glassy Eyed” Excessive sleep Ringing in the ears Fatigue Sadness Feeling “in a fog” Seeing “stars” Feeling “slowed down” Sensitivity to light Headache Sluggishness Inappropriate emotions change in personality Sensitivity to noise Irritability sleep disturbance Loss of consciousness Vacant stare Vomiting ALL ATHLETES WHO “ROCKED” EXHIBIT ANY OF SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS SHOULD BE REFERRED IMMEDIATELY TO THE ATHLETIC TRAINER /OR A PHYSICIAN!!! Recovery
Safety%20Unit%20High%20School.docx