Lately, concussions among football players have been the talk among medical professionals, and for good reason, especially after the inappropriately, and even denied, treatment of Miami Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovaila, who recently sustained multiple head injuries in the 2022 NFL season. Concussions are brain injuries any football player can sustain; as a parent or coach, understanding the signs and symptoms of this condition can help increase the speed at which your child receives treatment. Read on to learn more about concussion symptoms in high school football players and how to recognize them.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury that occurs after a person receives a blow to the head. Even a mild impact can cause a concussion. After someone sustains this injury, they could lose consciousness—although this isn’t always the case. Either way, many temporary cognitive symptoms can arise, which will help diagnose this condition, so your child can receive suitable treatment.
Signs of a Concussion
No matter how severe the action was to cause a concussion, all concussions are serious and need immediate attention when there are obvious signs or symptoms. If a child were to suffer from this brain injury and sustain the same injury without fully recovering from the first concussion, this could lead to long-term issues and a slower recovery. If you notice a football player acting confused, forgetful, clumsy, losing consciousness, or showing signs of personality changes, pull them from the game immediately and evaluate them for a concussion.
Symptoms of a Concussion
You can confirm your child’s diagnosis if they have any of the following symptoms. Concussion symptoms often found in high school football players include headaches, nausea, sensitivity to noise or light, memory issues, blurry vision, dizziness, or feeling foggy or sluggish. If you’re in the Raleigh area, we recommend taking your child to urgent care as soon as possible to receive the best medical treatment, and to ensure your child fully recovers from this injury before returning to their sport.
Remember, your child must heal from the brain injury before they can participate in any activity, or you could risk causing more significant problems and irreversible damage. Concussions are a common injury among teenagers, and they often take longer to recover. If your child plays a sport, such as football, it’s imperative you know the signs and symptoms of a concussion to help your child recover appropriately.
