Help Spread Concussion Awareness!
The CDC reminds us that
traumatic brain injury (TBI) including concussion, is a serious public health problem in the United States.Traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. Data shows that, on average, approximately 1.7 million people die, are hospitalized, or are seen in an emergency department for a traumatic brain injury annually. Almost half a million emergency department visits for TBI that occur each year are among children aged 0 to 14 years.
Why is this important? Children and teens are more likely to get a concussion or TBI and take longer to recover than adults.
So what is a concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can literally cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, stretching and damaging the brain cells and creating chemical changes in the brain. What you might not know is that these chemical changes make the brain more vulnerable to further injury. During this window of vulnerability the brain is more sensitive to any increased stress or injury, until it fully recovers.
It’s important for parents, athletes, and coaches to know about concussion. So what should you do if you think your teen has a concussion? CDC developed the following 4-step Heads Up Action Plan to help you protect your child or teen if you suspect they have a concussion:
1.
Keep your teen out of play. If your child or teen has a concussion, her/his brain needs time to heal. Don’t let your child or teen return to play the day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says he or she is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first—usually within a short period of time (hours, days, or weeks)—can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in edema (brain swelling), permanent brain damage, and even death.
2.
Seek medical attention right away. A health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your child or teen to return to sports.
3.
Teach your child or teen that it’s not smart to play with a concussion. Rest is key after a concussion. Sometimes athletes wrongly believe that it shows strength and courage to play injured. Discourage others from pressuring injured athletes to play. Don’t let your child or teen convince you that s/he’s “just fine.”
4.
Tell all of your child or teen’s coaches and the school nurse about ANY concussion. Coaches, school nurses, and other school staff should know if your child or teen has ever had a concussion. Your child or teen may need to limit activities while s/he is recovering from a concussion. Things such as studying, driving, working on a computer, playing video games, or exercising may cause concussion symptoms to reappear or get worse. Talk to your health care professional, as well as your child or teen’s coaches, school nurse, and teachers. If needed, they can help adjust your child or teen’s school activities during her/his recovery.
In addition to this, the Heads Up campaign includes tailored educational materials and messages developed for specific audiences, such as:
Health Care Professionals:
Heads Up: Brain Injury In Your Practice
Heads Up to Clinicians, mild TBI guidelines
Sports Coaches and Administrators:
Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports
Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports
School Professionals:
Heads Up to Schools: Know Your Concussion ABCs
To learn more about the Heads Up initiatives and to order your own materials, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/concussion.
I invite, parents, coaches, and athletes to share your stories or ask CDC questions at www.facebook.com/cdcheadsup. Feel free to chat,share,ect.
By posting this post on your facebook wall,tweeting it,sharing email,ect.it will Help Spread Concussion Awareness!
I would like to share with you some of my ideas for preventing traumatic brain injuries:
Always wear helmets when riding motorcycles,bikes,skateboarding,etc. any activity that has a possible chance of falling off
Always wear a seat belt when your in a vehicle.Especially when the vehicle is moving and have booster seats,car seats checked before each use
When playing sports always keep a helmet on and wear the proper shoes for the sport or event
Before cleaning/mopping a floor,make sure everyone is aware that the floor will be wet
Place a bath mat in your shower/tub so it helps from slipping
In the winter keep extra snow salt on hand for the ice weather
Before trips and on a regular basis always have your brakes checked
Use the proper safety equipment while repairing a roof or anytime your up high in case you slip and fall
If you like climbing hills or skiing make sure all your safety tools and equipment are up to date
ALWAYS check for recalls on cribs,car seats,bikes,etc.to keep safe
Walk down the steps,never run because you can slip easily and fall
I hope my ideas will help keep your family safe,please add to these ideas by commenting below! Let's Help Spread Concussion Awareness!
I wrote this blog post while participating in a SocialMoms blogging program for which I may receive a thank you kit.” For more information on how you can participate, click here
