Understanding Concussions
What is it? A concussion happens when a force on the head injures the brain cells and temporarily disrupts their function. A concussion IS NOT a brain bleed in the head and it CANNOT be seen on imaging (such as a head CT or brain MRI). Concussions also usually don’t cause long term damage except in cases of severe multiple repeat concussions
Common Types
- Concussions range from mild (minimal symptoms) to severe, and require in depth testing and assessment in person.
- Typical symptoms can include
- Headache
- Confusion and disorientation (e.g. walking in the wrong direction, not aware of the time, date or place)
- Difficulties with memory
- Blank stare or ‘stunned’ appearance
- Inattentiveness (e.g. difficulty following instructions or focusing on a task)
- Emotional Lability (e.g. inappropriate laughing or crying)
- Crankiness
- Tiredness
- Slow or incoherent speech
- Gait abnormalities and imbalance (stumbling, falling)
- Sensitivity to noise and/or light
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
When to Manage at Home
✅ You can manage your child's head hit at home when:
- They did not lose consciousness with the fall/head hit or have any vomiting afterwards (both can be signs of more serious head injury and should be seen in person by a medical provider), and they are otherwise acting and feeling like their normal self
How to Treat at Home
🏠 Home remedies for concussion:
- The biggest remedy is REST; avoiding screen time, bright lights, loud noises, and contact sports is the mainstay of concussion treatment. A more individual plan should be provided by a medical provider after being seen in person for an exam.
When to Contact Poppins
📱 Contact us when:
- You have questions on whether or not to be seen in person or you have questions about your child’s symptoms and whether they qualify as a concussion.
When to Visit Your Pediatrician
🩺 Go to an in-person appointment when:
- Your child has any of the above symptoms of a concussion after a head hit or fall
- Your provider will assess your child’s symptoms and help you establish a return to school/play/sports plan
If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out. Need help? Reconnect with our on-demand team of medical staff available 24/7.
