As we enter into a new sports season, we want to remind athletes and their families of the importance of recognizing concussion injuries and what to do when you suspect your athlete may have suffered a concussion.

Did you know that 1 to 3 million sports-related brain injuries occur in the U.S. each year? Sports-related concussions can occur as a result of a jolt to the head, neck or trunk that causes increased movement in the brain. A blow to the head or loss of consciousness need not occur for an injury to be considered a concussion.

Symptoms

Some concussion symptoms may include:

• Headache 
• Neck pain
• Nausea
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double vision or fuzzy vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish
• Feeling foggy or groggy
• Concentration or memory problems
• Confusion

Recovery

Most athletes can recover from a concussion injury in about 7 to 10 days, while others may take several months before they are back to optimal performance. A qualified medical provider should supervise recovery and the athlete should not return to the sport until fully cleared. Some athletes may require accommodations prior to returning to school.

If you suspect that your child or adolescent has a concussion injury, seek an evaluation by a medical provider immediately, even if symptoms are mild.