Concussion overreaction? (Them) Underreaction? (Me)

[Ginevra]

This whole situation seems so bizarre to me. DD16 hit her head in soccer Friday night. The school is being very careful (hysterical?) about concussions now, as some of you may know. I do believe she suffered a concussion, but over the weekend, she has seemed okay. Not 100%, but nothing alarming that made me think she is very injured in her brain. She did sleep more than usual and took it easy. She has had a headache off and on, but not extreme. She was supposed to see the trainer at school today before resuming soccer this afternoon, but she didn't make it that far. She went to the health room after her first class because she had a headache and she wanted them to be aware of it. 

 

IMO, they seemed like they freaked out. They are pretty insistent that I take her to the doctor for an evaluation and do not want me to bring her back to school until she is 100% totally fine. One day, two days, ten days - they don't care how long that might be. Don't bring her here until she's 100% totally fine. She's supposed to be on "total brain rest" until that point. That means watching The Great Gatsby at home this past weekend was too much stimulation. 

 

It's kind of bizarre to me, honestly. I know they are taking concussions more seriously than they did when I was a kid, or even than they did 10 years ago, but...sheesh. It seems like hysteria to me. I clocked my head a couple of times when I was a kid and, other than taking the rest of the day off from school, it was never mentioned again. So - is the school over-reacting about head injuries now for liability reasons? Am I under-reacting because concussions were never treated with this level of freak-outishness when I was younger, but should have been all along? 

[gardenmom5]

them - no

you - yes

the fact she has recently had a concussion (was that formally diagnosed by a medical provider?), and is still experiencing any headache indicates she is NOT recovered.  she is at greater risk right now of further damage were she to again hit her head.  any additional injury isn't a new injury - it's on top of an existing, and unhealed, injury.  orders of magnitude more serious.

 

keeping her completely out of sports until she is fully recovered is responsible.

[kwg]

My friend's child got a concussion, and she was not allowed to do any school or learn anything new- no tv too I think- for a month.  They told her a second knock could be fatal.  So that left out playgrounds, dance, etc.

 

I thought it was strange too but I never had one so I do not know.

[Whereneverever]

Has she been to an actual doctor?

[xxxxxxxx]

I don't think they are overreacting.

 

My dd suffered 2 concussions.....yes it is a pain to make up the work.....boring when you are not feeling too bad but totally worth it in the end.

 

My friend's dd suffered a concussion and went back too quickly....suffered 2 more.....she will never play contact sports again!

 

In the long run.....rest is best!

[Momof3littles]

It is a big deal, IMO. There is research coming out now showing that even subclinical concussive hits can create problems, especially over time. Full on concussions are serious, and the research coming out keeps really just amping up the concern, TBH. Second impact syndrome is very real and a major liability concern for SDs.

 

I am a PT, and originally considered becoming an athletic trainer. Part of what swayed me away from ATC was that it was obvious to me in high school even that there is a constant conflict of interest between coaches, SDs, and the ATCs. In many districts, there is pressure to clear an athlete when the ATC may not feel it is appropriate to do so. If they don't agree to clear the athletes, sometimes there is pressure or the ATC is replaced with someone more "friendly" to the coach's request for the player to be cleared. Most ATCs clearly follow the ethics, etc. of their profession, but that constant tension is there in many programs.

 

I would have my child seen by an MD. It is serious, and the research out keeps increasing the concern over the seriousness of even subclinical hits.

[Parrothead]

They seem to be overreacting. But you don't seem to be reacting enough. The school is looking out for the school. Their liability insurance would go through the stratosphere if your dd suffered further injury while at school.

 

You need to get your dd to the doctor to determine how bad the concussion is. Sometimes hey require hospitalization. Other times not. Only the doctor can determine the best course of action.

 

http://www.webmd.com/brain/tc/traumatic-brain-injury-concussion-overview?page=1

[sassenach]

I'm afraid I'm not up on the latest concussion research enough to answer your question, but I do agree that you should take her to the doc before returning to school. What happens from there should be doctor's orders. I don't think the school should lay down the line of 100% recovery unless the doctor does.

[Guest]

She is going to the pediatrician in just a few minutes. We will see what they say. 

[sbgrace]

My son had a concussion (severe end based on symptoms, they sent him for a scan) last year. He was put on total brain rest (which was near impossible....but we tried). I think they are finding that it's more serious than they used to think. So I think you're under-reacting. Fish oil may help repair. Rest (cognitive and physical) will help a lot. I'd take her home and let her sleep.

[school17777]

My friend has two children (homeschooled) who have had some serious concussions from doing pretty normal things.  One of her children's concussion has been life altering.  The mom's opinion is that there is something going on either with our food or environment that is making our children's bodies more susceptible to injuries than when we were growing up.

[Danestress]

I would just hear what the pediatrician has to say. The school is acting with extra caution because they don't know all the medical facts and just know she is still experiencing possible symptoms and that school work could be harmful for her.

[ChocolateReignRemix]

Their reaction is completely appropriate. Yours is not.

[Ottakee]

This is a big thing here. They do a baseline test on all highschool athletes and before they can return after a concussion they must get back to baseline with cognitive testing.

 

Rest is critical---no TV, DVDs, computer, reading, etc. That is the standard here.

[gardenmom5]

I've had kids with took major hits to their heads.  they were symptomatic ranging from headaches, dizziness, fatigue and vomiting - but after examination by a medical professional was told they didn't have a concussion.  (because one time out of 10 attempts he passed the preliminary neuro.)

 

I would take what the dr says with a grain of salt - she is having symptoms - treat it like one.

[Guest submarines]

She is going to the pediatrician in just a few minutes. We will see what they say. 

:thumbup1:  I believe that concussions in the US are already seriously undertreated, probably for economic reasons. I'm glad she is going to be seen. 

[Belacqua]

This is a big thing here. They do a baseline test on all highschool athletes and before they can return after a concussion they must get back to baseline with cognitive testing.

 

 

 

And the kids have already figured out how to game this. Some of them intentionally underperform on the baseline test so they can be cleared to play more quickly.

[In The Great White North]

I believe that concussions in the US are already seriously undertreated, probably for economic reasons. I'm glad she is going to be seen.

What do they do in other countries?

[LifeLovePassion]

I think schools are becoming more aware of how serious they can be. A local boy had his life saved after getting hit during football. http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_24045119/dassel-cokato-football-player-serious-shape-after-head I think there are just so many variables with the brain that the school doesn't want to take a chance.

[Kathryn]

I agree with everyone else. I have a cousin who returned to normal life too soon after a concussion and got another one. Three years later and she still has a lot of problems and frequently has to miss months of school at a time.

[houseofkids&pets]

I agree with the others.  Our neighbor's dd is a soccer goalie. She suffered a concussion and her family didn't realize how serious it was.  If she wants to continue playing in the future, it was recommended that she wear some type of head gear. I think we have more research now that shows that hits to the head, whether it is soccer, football, boxing, etc., can have serious long term effects.

 

Glad to hear that you are going to the doctor. Hope all is well.

[TravelingChris]

A homeschooling friend of my older dd's was on a rugby team (not a homeschool one, just a local one).  One kid got a concussion, was told to stop playing and did for a few weeks.  He went back too soon, got another hit and died.  Currently I have a girl in one of my classes who had a what was thought to be a fairly mild concussion in July,.  She is still not able to read and do work. She still has headaches all the time.

[Momof3littles]

OP, here's some research abstracts:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23243113

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23478462

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23199431

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23199428

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23080130

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23971952

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23399646

 

 

NYT has done a pretty good job of publishing regular stories about the emerging concerns over subconcussive hits, second impact syndrome, the many missed concussions, long term impact, etc.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/31/health/research/31childhood.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/sports/concussion-prevention-for-child-athletes-robert-c-cantu.html?_r=0

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/sports/ncaafootball/college-players-move-concussions-issue-into-thecourtroom.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/12/03/sports/images-of-brain-injuries-in-athletes.html

[Guest]

Okay - back from the doctor.  The difficult part is it's still sort of vague on the recovery sequence because they cannot project how she will fare.  I plan to keep her home tomorrow. Wed - go to school, but don't work hard, which she says (and I agree) will be odd. She doesn't know how she can go to school and just sit there. No soccer, but see the trainer before practice. Sit through practice and games this week. See what happens when she resumes some light exercise - does her headache return? Does she feel okay? It's all rather vague as far as school work (book work) stuff goes. 

[Guest submarines]

Okay - back from the doctor.  The difficult part is it's still sort of vague on the recovery sequence because they cannot project how she will fare.  I plan to keep her home tomorrow. Wed - go to school, but don't work hard, which she says (and I agree) will be odd. She doesn't know how she can go to school and just sit there. No soccer, but see the trainer before practice. Sit through practice and games this week. See what happens when she resumes some light exercise - does her headache return? Does she feel okay? It's all rather vague as far as school work (book work) stuff goes. 

So what did the doctor say, exactly?

 

She should be seen by the doctor again before resuming regular activity, and "going back to school but not working hard" is *not* total brain rest. I'm surprised that was your doctor's advice. And what's the point of going to school but "not working hard", anyway? 

 

If she were my child, she'd be on total brain rest unless 100% cleared by the doctor,and I'd rather err on letting her rest for longer, than resuming her activities too soon. 

 

I'm so perplexed by your super casual attitude about her *brain* health!

[torikei]

The new research is scary-very, very scary. I think it has schools very frightened! I totally get that. My youngest ds had a very severe concussion. We dealt with it for almost a year. He lost reading skills that had to be retaught. We kept him in a helmet for pretty much everything. I remember in baseball, the opposing coaches kept trying to take his helmet off in the outfield. It got to the point that everyone on our side of the bleachers would yell, "No!!!". I'm pretty laid back as a parent but when a child doesn't remember his name--it's scary. I live in fear of another concussion. I would proceed cautiously. I hope your daughter heals quickly.

[regentrude]

Concussions are a big deal. If she is still having a headache the next day, I would have it checked out. The school is acting appropriately.

 

DD's friend suffered a concussion from a fall in PE. She was unable to attend school for an entire year due to post-concussion syndrome. Definitely take it seriously.

[Guest submarines]

What do they do in other countries?

 

In Eastern Europe, at least when I was a child, you'd be hospitalized and / or on complete bed rest for a concussion for at least a week, to ensure total brain rest. I was very surprised how quickly concussions were "cleared" in the US. 

[laundrycrisis]

Our son had a concussion this summer.  It is a big deal.  They need cognitive rest, and you can't take any risks of a second impact.  He was still having occasional headaches a week later.   We had him in a helmet for all activities involving any kind of ball for a full month. 

[J-rap]

It sounds like they are being overly-cautious, true, but better that than not cautious enough, I think. My daughter had a concussion about a year and a half ago. She didn't want to tell me because she had just been to the ER with broken ribs a month earlier. But, she was supposed to drive 2.5 hours that day with some friends (she was the driver) and thankfully felt responsible enough to tell me she couldn't see straight and felt dizzy and therefore didn't feel she should drive. She had a terrible headache, which isn't unusual for her since she gets them a lot. I did end up taking her to the ER, and they felt she did have a concussion and told her not to study too hard and sent her home. They didn't take any scan and seemed to act like it wasn't a very big deal. We believe this same daughter had another concussion just six months before that when she did a handstand in the street and fell on her head. I know more about damaged brains than I ever wanted to know, but I agree that it's difficult to know how hard a bonk on the head to take seriously. I'm definitely more nervous these days regarding injuries to the brain than I used to be.

 

My daughter did have a very thorough brain MRI last week due to her severe migraines (which started before her concussions!), and they said she has a very healthy looking brain.

 

I don't think concussions are happening more than they used to, I think people are just more aware of them.

[Jennifer3141]

I kept my then 6 year old boy in bed for an entire WEEK after his concussion. That wasn't particularly easy. We took away his bike and skateboard for a month after that and he wasn't allowed to run. (His sister tattled whenenever he tried! :laugh: )

 

A concussion is a brain injury. We know WAY more about the long term effects of concussions than we did even 20 years ago. They are a traumatic injury to the brain. You really cannot take them "too" seriously. You can however, not take them seriously enough.

[Momof3littles]

Yes, sadly many MDs are still not up to date on the most current research with respect to concussions, subconcussive injury, the biomarkers for concussion and subconcussive injuries, and the fact that scans are being proven to be inadequate. Much smaller injuries that are difficult to detect clinically or with diagnostic devices are known to be problematic now.

 

Be cautious that your MD is following the most recent guidelines out for management of high school aged athletes.

[MBM]

Keep a close eye on her. It really is best for her to rest her brain for several weeks.

 

I've linked some sites that explain what happens to the brain when it suffers a concussion. Mayland Chang is mentioned in the first article. She is a researcher at Notre Dame who is developing a drug for concussions. Alex, the boy mentioned in the quote, is her son.
 
http://magazine.nd.edu/news/22272-rescuing-brain-cells/
 

A severe jolt can disrupt the complicated cascade of chemical reactions that regulate the brain’s function. Among other things, affected parts of the brain lose the ability to metabolize glucose, and neurons no longer transmit impulses normally. With proper rest, the brain chemistry gradually resets, and most people are back to normal, like Alex, within two to three weeks.

 
 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-11-14/news/ct-met-concussions-1114-20121114_1_concussion-program-david-hovda-cells

 

David Hovda, director of the UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, said that at the cellular level, a concussion sparks a biochemical "energy crisis" that begins when the brain, traumatized by a collision, causes its cells to leak potassium and absorb calcium. Excess calcium gums up the mitochondria — mini-power plants that create energy for the cells. That's a problem because the cells need extra energy to reclaim the potassium they lost.

That energy loss shows itself in the concussion's symptoms, from headaches to nausea to dizzy spells.

 

 

 

When the brain cells cannot get rid of the excess calcium, they die leaving holes in the brain.

 

I hope your daughter makes a speedy recovery. I'm sure she will but if she has any signs of fogginess, dizziness, etc., it'd be best to let her rest.

 

[Swimtaxi234]

This topic is near to my heart since I have a young relative that had double concussions within a month (soccer injuries) and now a year later she still suffers greatly.  We don't know if she will ever fully recover.

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3359788/

[jenn-]

I have a cousin that had a concussion from field hockey.  She wasn't allowed to do anything for 2 weeks (including school) and had to be out of practice for a month.

[whitestavern]

My dd got a concussion this summer.  It was not a bad hit; she merely fell backwards while sliding down a hill on her behind and hit her head on the grass.  She seemed fine, but had some memory issues shortly afterwards so we did take her to the doctor.  For two weeks she was not supposed to watch TV, interact with computers/electronics, study for tests, practice piano or participate in any sports.  I was very surprised, but we definitely followed the doctor's orders.  They told us if she was having any headaches to let them know.  I would bring your daughter in for an evaluation.

[Kathryn]

Question: what does a child DO on brain rest?

[Perry]

I agree with others that a concussion, even one that seems mild, can have long term consequences.  Also, there is the low, but deadly, risk of second impact syndrome.  This is why they don't want her playing any sports until she's healed. 

 

 

Second-impact Syndrome Overview

Second-impact syndrome is a rare and dangerous result of second concussion that happens when the brain is still healing from a previous concussion. Second-impact syndrome causes dangerous brain swelling and bleeding that can cause death or permanent disability. It can occur even days to weeks after a first concussion is diagnosed

It is a very rare diagnosis but may be preventable by removing concussed athletes from practice or play until their symptoms have gone away and the athlete is cleared by a health-care professional. Adolescent athletes seem to be the most at risk to develop second-impact syndrome.

 

 

more at Sports Concussion

[PeacefulChaos]

I'm also interested in what exactly one is supposed to do when on brain rest????

 

Just sit?  And do nothing - no reading, no watching anything, nothing??? 

 

Holy moly... that sucks.  :ack2:

[Guest submarines]

I'm also interested in what exactly one is supposed to do when on brain rest????

 

Just sit?  And do nothing - no reading, no watching anything, nothing??? 

 

Holy moly... that sucks.  :ack2:

Yes, pretty much just bed rest. No reading, no watching TV, no audio books or music. It is pretty brutal, especially for a child, and takes a lot of effort from the parent. 

 

DS's friend had a concussion and DS wasn't even allowed to visit in the first days as even talking to a friend was too stimulating, according to the doctor. 

[AK_Mom4]

I'm also interested in what exactly one is supposed to do when on brain rest????

 

Just sit?  And do nothing - no reading, no watching anything, nothing??? 

 

Holy moly... that sucks.  :ack2:

 

Mostly they just sleep. Listen to music (maybe).

 

The guidelines when I was a kid were that you went to bed until you stopped having headaches.  That was about 10 days for my brother after he fell skiing. 

 

OP - I think you might want to consider having your child take some time off from school - at least until she stops having headaches.  Those are a bad sign post concussion - and what REALLY is she going to miss by resting a bit longer?  The school will let her make up the missed work. 

 

Better safe than sorry on this one.

[Haiku]

You are under-reacting. They are not over-reacting. I suggest you look into some recent research on concussions and the developing brain.

[LMA]

My friend's daughter had a severe concussion at 16. She had to sit in her room in the dark for 8 weeks. She was not allowed to read or watch tv or talk to anyone but her mother. After 3 weeks, her daughter could listen to audio books on low. Nothing stimulating. After 8 weeks, she was eased back into her school work. If you believe your daughter suffered a concussion, please have her see a doctor. If your doctor is not sure, please ask to see a specialist right away.

[Lisa in Jax]

A concussion is a brain injury. We know WAY more about the long term effects of concussions than we did even 20 years ago. They are a traumatic injury to the brain. You really cannot take them "too" seriously. You can however, not take them seriously enough.

 

This. Concussions are brain injuries. Hopefully, your daughter's concussion was mild, but it's still a *brain injury.*

 

What can it hurt to rest, just in case?

 

Lisa

[Guest]

I hear you all. It still seems so intense to me. Perhaps because I have had at least two very significant concussions and dh has had a few at least. None of these were treated this way, although mine were decades ago, so I guess that explains it. Also, it is so common to get a concussion in soccer. Several of the girls have had one within the last year. Are they going to have half the soccer team missing school for undetermined weeks of time? If it's this dangerous, why aren't all the soccer players in helmets? 

[Guest]

This. Concussions are brain injuries. Hopefully, your daughter's concussion was mild, but it's still a *brain injury.*

 

What can it hurt to rest, just in case?

 

Lisa

 

I don't understand how this works for schoolwork. How can any student miss weeks of work and then get their act together to complete the year in a competent fashion? I remember wondering about this with one of the boys in her class last year who hit his head in soccer. He was out for at least a month, maybe more. The school assures me that the teachers understand her injury and will compensate for it. But what does that mean? If you miss an entire unit of Geometry, how do you come in and just join back in as if you've always been there? 

[Loowit]

I have actually never seen a concussion from playing soccer, though I am sure they happen. My kids have been playing for year.  The rec league they play in requires a doctor's note for any head injury before they can return to playing.  We have to sign a concussion form each season when they register.

[Katy]

The quote function doesn't seem to be working for me, but a lot of areas are banning heading the ball and are banning football and soccer for little kids because of concussions.  I bet that if you took her to a different doctor more up on research they'd give you a pain medication to make her sleepy and keep her in bed until all cognitive function tests showed normal.  A minimum of 1-2 weeks, probably.

[Library Momma]

Soccer concussions are very common.  Many leagues have begun having their players wear protection like this:

 

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://media.betterbraces.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/d/o/donjoy-hat-trick_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.betterbraces.com/soccer/head-protection-ab&h=755&w=708&sz=87&tbnid=NmLVTez8EacfdM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=84&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsoccer%2Bhead%2Bprotection%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=soccer+head+protection&usg=__P4rqhrPsRiwychRtEGMH3lF_7PY=&docid=yWgqkWkcMRi6_M&sa=X&ei=aKI3UsXIDda14APQi4D4Cw&sqi=2&ved=0CEwQ9QEwAA&dur=1538

 

 

[Katy]

Quill- you don't just join in.  If you're unable to function for 4 weeks and then you need to catch up what happens depends on the state.  Some states will send a teacher to your house to get the child caught up.  Some will tell you to keep the kid home an extra week and work hard on getting caught up yourself.  Others will hold the kid over into summer school.  Others will give them an extra month to get caught up. Some say if you're out six weeks you're automatically held back due to state law.