Although most have heard of them, many people do not fully understand what concussions are apart from being sports injuries common among junior level and professional league athletes. The reality though, is that a concussion is a serious type of traumatic brain injury – TBI – often caused by blunt force trauma or other circumstances in which the head and brain have been forced rapidly back and forth. Basically, any movement that causes the brain to bounce, twist, or bump into anything inside the skull can create chemical changes, unnaturally stretch, or damage the cells inside the brain – all of which can significantly impact a child’s physical and psychological well-being. Scariest of all, a concussion can happen from something as simple and seemingly harmless as a fall.
Signs & Symptoms Of A Concussion
You will often notice if your child is acting unusual after a fall or bump on the head, but there are some specific signs you can look out for as a parent to determine the likelihood of a concussion. You may want to consult a pediatric neurologist if you start to notice your child:
- Is having trouble remembering things, especially from immediately before and/or after their accident.
- Is confused about where they are, what they’re doing, who they’re with, or otherwise what is going on.
- Is not responsive to conversation, or is answering questions slowly.
- Is moving dizzily/clumsily, or appears to be stunned/dazed.
- Is losing consciousness, even temporarily.
- Is suffering from personality/mood/behavioral changes that are disruptive or otherwise out of character.
- Is complaining of headaches or a feeling of excessive pressure in their head.
- Is nauseated, vomiting, or otherwise feeling groggy, sluggish, “not right,” or “not themselves.”
- Is experiencing double vision or suddenly has sensitivity to light/noise.
- Is having trouble concentrating or focusing on tasks/goals.
How Pediatric Neurologist Dr. Kheir Al-Zouhayli, A.K.A. Dr. Al, Can Help!
At Oakland Child and Adolescent Neurology, one of the reasons our patients and their families trust us so much is because we genuinely understand what your child is going through, as well as what they need to successfully recover. Simply by communicating with your child, and performing a few non-invasive examinations, we can determine the precise extent of your child’s injuries and create a custom care approach just for them. We will guide you in how to help your child manage their pain, how to look out for signs of their condition worsening, and anything else you might need to know to optimize their recovery. More importantly, we will be able to tell you when it’s safe to start reintroducing different activities into their routine, and how, to start getting their life back to normal as quickly as possible. Essentially, pediatric neurologist Dr. Al can be your partner in your child’s health – ensuring their success in everything they do!
If you believe your child may be suffering from a neurological disorder or if you are looking for help managing an existing condition, consult a child neurologist, like Dr. Al at Oakland Child and Adolescent Neurology, today, by calling 248.720.2470, or after hours call 248.456.8507, or fill out the schedule an appointment form in the sidebar or below to learn more about Dr. Kheir Al-Zouhayli, Oakland Child and Adolescent Neurology, and how we can help you.