Parenthood is by no means an easy ride. Between the housework, academic administration and at-home entertainment, there is little room for maneuver; and yet, we wouldn’t change it for the world. Indeed, we move mountains on a regular basis for the health and happiness of our young ones. Health is a particular going concern, especially in a time where the NHS is more swamped than ever. Head injuries are especially dangerous for the developing mind, and especially common at school or through regular play. How can you recognise a concussion in your child, and what should you do in the event of one?
Recognising the Signs of Concussions
In order to ensure that you are adequately equipped to protect your children from the risk of concussion, it would be prudent for you to first understand the key signifiers that a concussion has occurred. Head injuries of any kind can have a wide variety of impacts; the brain is a complex organ, and the effects of head injury often difficult to isolate or ascertain.
However, there are some common threads that run through concussions, and the head injuries that lead to them. For one, concussions are generally caused by blunt force trauma to the head, or by a ‘whiplash’ motion causing the brain to collide with the interior walls of the skull.
The symptoms of concussion can vary, but tend to include: nausea, instability, loss of appetite and short-term memory loss amongst other physical symptoms. A child could easily suffer a concussion as a result of a trip or fall in the school playground, a sporting accident or even a road traffic incident.
Seeking Medical Attention
If you suspect that your child has been unlucky enough to suffer a concussion, the natural first step would be to seek medical attention as soon as physically possible. Concussion may not be an isolated thing, and could indicate some more serious damage to the brain – including intracranial swelling, which could lead to disastrous long-term impacts. A concussion in a child is grounds enough for an emergency, and an ambulance should be considered if the child was even briefly unconscious.
Managing Recovery After Medical Care
If the injury has had any medium- or long-term impacts for the health of your child – or if the circumstances surrounding the incident indicate negligence or failure of some kind – it can be a wise move to get in touch with a brain injury solicitor. If there is a case, there may be an opportunity for compensation to help with the recovery of your child, or to stimulate review of health and safety policies at the location of the accident.
After discharge from the care of medical professionals, there is still a period of recovery before your child will be back to their usual self. Keeping stimulus to a minimum can help with comfort, while ensuring they are well-fed, well-hydrated and well-rested can all contribute to a speedier recovery. Returning to school should not be rushed, and could even be phased if appropriate; remote learning equipment has made it easier for recovering children to catch up without rushing back to the classroom prematurely.