Concussion

Sports are an excellent way for your child to stay active, but high-impact sports can also increase your child’s risk of a concussion. At the Center for Advanced Pediatrics, the experienced medical team offers on-site concussion evaluations after a head injury. They also provide customized care plans to ensure that your child’s brain heals efficiently to minimize the risk of long-term complications. Call the Center for Advanced Pediatrics office in Norwalk or Darien, Connecticut, today or book an appointment online.

What is a concussion?

A concussion disrupts brain function that happens after a head injury, even if it’s a mild blow. Your child can also get a concussion if they suffer a bodily injury that causes a violent shaking of their brain.

Many children get a concussion while playing high-impact sports or if they fall. If your child hits their head or experiences another traumatic injury, you must schedule a concussion evaluation at the Center for Advanced Pediatrics.

What are the warning signs of a concussion?

After an injury, your child could exhibit signs that they have a concussion. These signs can include:

• Headaches
• Blurry vision
• Dazed appearance
• Acting confused
• Clumsy movements
• Can’t remember events before or after the trauma

Some kids also lose consciousness, but those who don’t can still have a concussion.

The Center for Advanced Pediatrics team can evaluate your child’s symptoms and assess their overall health. If your child has a concussion, the team can customize a treatment plan to ensure that they heal fully before returning to sports and other physical activities.

How are concussions treated?

A child with a concussion needs to get plenty of rest at night and throughout the day. These rest periods give your child’s brain a chance to heal. School-aged children will need to miss school for a few days and limit their reading and homework while they recover.

If your child experiences a headache caused by a concussion, the Center for Advanced Pediatrics team will probably recommend over-the-counter or prescription medicines to increase their comfort.

In addition to treating concussions, the pediatric team can provide resources that help reduce your child’s risk of concussions. They could recommend that your child wear a helmet while riding a bike or playing contact sports. You should also schedule regular eye doctor visits to prevent vision problems that can lead to falls and other accidents.

It can take several weeks, sometimes months, for your child’s brain to heal after a concussion. The team continues to monitor your child’s overall health and healing progress. They can let you know when it’s safe for your child to return to their usual activities without limitations.

Call the Center for Advanced Pediatrics office nearest to you today or go online to schedule a concussion evaluation for your child.