We can’t stress it enough: if you think that you, your child or one of your players has had a concussion, they should be immediately removed from the sporting event. Seek out your family doctor and be sure to get clearance from them before returning to practices or games.
The Devastating Effects of a Second Hit
The risk of having someone return to play is called second impact syndrome. This condition only affects the pediatric and adolescent populations and occurs when there has been an initial concussion. The person may be unaware that they have one or hasn’t been diagnosed, so they continue playing or try to play despite having a concussion. They may think that they have a head cold or sinus pressure, which mimics the symptoms of a concussion.
After a second concussion, energy levels and blood flow decrease, which leads to a rapid increase in swelling of the brain. Ultimately, the risk can be fatal. Most people don’t remember the case of Rowan Stringer, a rugby player who died from second impact syndrome. No child should ever run the risk of this syndrome. The consequences can simply be too severe!
What to Do
You or your child should be immediately pulled or refrain from playing if there is concern of a concussion. Following that, bring them to your family doctor. Make sure that they have a proper assessment there or from another professional. At Dr. Dale Byrne, we have the assessment techniques to not only discover which part of the brain has been affected but also to determine how to rehabilitate it.
Contact our team today to schedule you or your child’s assessment!