A concussion is a type of brain injury caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull.
Contrary to what many people believe, a person does not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion. In fact, most people who experience a concussion never black out.
Concussions can happen during hockey, soccer, football, basketball, skiing, cycling, playground activities, and everyday accidents. Sometimes the impact looks dramatic. Other times it appears minor, yet symptoms can still develop.
As a parent, coach, or caregiver, your job is not to diagnose a concussion. Your job is to recognize when something may be wrong and ensure the person receives appropriate medical assessment and care.
They seem fine now. Symptoms can take minutes, hours, or even days to appear.
They didn't hit their head. A hard hit to the body can cause the brain to move inside the skull and result in a concussion.
They want to keep playing, so they must be okay. Athletes often minimize symptoms because they want to stay in the game.
If you suspect a concussion, remove the athlete from play and monitor them closely. It is always better to miss a few minutes of a game than to risk a more serious injury.