What is a concussion?

A concussion can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, stretching and damaging the brain cells which cause chemical changes in the brain.

-          It can result from contact with another player, hitting a hard surface such as the ground, ice or floor or being hit with a piece of equipment.
-          Concussions present differently for each athlete.
-          They can occur during practice or competition in ANY sport.
-          Concussions can happen even if you do not lose consciousness.
-          Symptoms of a concussion tend to decrease in severity within the first 24 hours but get much worse 48-72 hours after the injury.
-          Unfortunately, concussions cannot be diagnosed by MRI or CT scan.

Common signs and symptoms of a concussion:

-          Vomiting
-          Loss of consciousness
-          Headache
-          Dizziness
-          Confusion
-          Balance problems
-          Difficulty concentrating
-          Difficulty remembering
-          Vision problems
-          Sensitive to light and/or noise
-          Sleeping more or less than usual

So what should you do if you think your son or daughter has a concussion?

-          Remove from play immediately and seek out an athletic trainer or sports medicine physician on the sideline for evaluation.
-          When In Doubt, Sit It Out!
-          If there was a head injury and symptoms appeared after the injury, the athlete most likely suffered a concussion.
-          Keep well hydrated and make sure your child eats a well-balanced diet even if they lose their appetite.
-          Your child may sleep more or less than usual and that is OK. Do not wake them up every hour (that’s a myth)!
-          Limit screen time.
-          Avoid stimulating activities or situations where they could get hit again.
-          Follow-up with a sports medicine physician within 72 hours for further evaluation.
-          Banner University Medicine can accommodate same-day or next day appointments. Call our number to schedule an appointment.

Why is it important to be evaluated for a concussion?

When a concussion occurs, the brain is injured by a sudden bounce, jolt, or bump inside the skull. The injury to the brain causes a change in the chemicals and the brain has a hard time determining how it should allocate its energy resources.

-          Getting evaluated as soon as possible after a concussion allows us to determine the specific things that are causing your child to have    symptoms.
-          Unlike other sports medicine injuries, like ankle or knee sprains, where you want to avoid things that make it feel worse, with a        concussion, we want to challenge the brain in the areas where it’s struggling.
-    This forces the brain to adapt to its environment and reallocate its resources—making for a quicker recovery.
-          Getting evaluated ASAP also allows us to help your child return to school when he or she is ready and not hold them out for an arbitrary    amount of time.
-          Close monitoring of symptoms and recovery can help keep your child from falling behind in school.

Contact Banner University Medicine

South Tucson Location
Banner University Medical Center - South Campus
2800 E. Ajo Way, Ste. #200, Tucson, AZ
For appointment: 520-694-8000

Northwest Tucson Location
Banner University Medical Center - North Hills
265 W. Ina Rd., Tucson, AZ
For appointment: 520-694-8000