Concussion Treatment
You or someone you know may have just suffered a concussion during a soccer match, what do you do? Here are some steps to follow if you note a difference and suspect a concussion:
Stop all play or activity. If you believe that you or someone you know has suffered a concussion, stop all play or activity; allow the player to leave the field of play.
Assess for signs and symptoms. The person must maintain still while they are being assessed for signs and symptoms of a concussion.
Seek advice from a healthcare professional. If you or someone you know is vomiting repeatedly, has a seizure, or is unable to wake up, call 911 immediately. If you or someone you know displays signs and symptoms of a concussion, seek advice from a healthcare professional. A doctor will ask multiple and detailed questions about the head impact and may perform other neurological tests.
Observation and Recovery. The concussion patient may be hospitalized overnight for observation; if the patient is allowed to go home, someone should monitor and check on the patient every few hours for at least 24 to 48 hours. Over-the-counter acetaminophen may help reduce and pains. Any swelling should be reduced with an ice pack or damp cloths. It is important to rest from mental and physical activities to allow the brain adequate time to heal. The patient may return to play once all concussion symptoms are not present anymore and has been cleared to do so by the doctor.
Keep all parties informed. Be sure to inform the coach, trainer, and any additional parties about all previous concussions received in sports or other activities. This will allow adequate decisions to be made regarding to the athlete's health.
Stop all play or activity. If you believe that you or someone you know has suffered a concussion, stop all play or activity; allow the player to leave the field of play.
Assess for signs and symptoms. The person must maintain still while they are being assessed for signs and symptoms of a concussion.
Seek advice from a healthcare professional. If you or someone you know is vomiting repeatedly, has a seizure, or is unable to wake up, call 911 immediately. If you or someone you know displays signs and symptoms of a concussion, seek advice from a healthcare professional. A doctor will ask multiple and detailed questions about the head impact and may perform other neurological tests.
Observation and Recovery. The concussion patient may be hospitalized overnight for observation; if the patient is allowed to go home, someone should monitor and check on the patient every few hours for at least 24 to 48 hours. Over-the-counter acetaminophen may help reduce and pains. Any swelling should be reduced with an ice pack or damp cloths. It is important to rest from mental and physical activities to allow the brain adequate time to heal. The patient may return to play once all concussion symptoms are not present anymore and has been cleared to do so by the doctor.
Keep all parties informed. Be sure to inform the coach, trainer, and any additional parties about all previous concussions received in sports or other activities. This will allow adequate decisions to be made regarding to the athlete's health.