When a cartoon character gets bonked on the
head, stars appear and float in a silly circle.
It may be funny to see in a cartoon, but
it's not so funny when it happens for real. Seeing stars, feeling goofy or dazed
for a little while, or being knocked out after getting hit in the head are all
symptoms of a type of brain injury called a concussion.
Hockey is actually a very safe sport at the
youth level when compared against other youth sports. That’s not to say hockey
is without risk, but by comparison to many youth activities, hockey has no more
injuries than other sports, and in many cases may have fewer.
It's hard for children to understand the effects of a concussion because they can't see or touch a “broken brain.” It’s even harder for children to explain how they feel after a bump on the head as a result of running into the boards or falling on the ice and bumping their head, face or jaw.
After a player experiences a hard fall or run into the boards which results in a blow to the head, face or jaw, coaches and trainers look for signs of possible concussions and pay attention to a player’s description on how they feel. If a player shows or describes any of the typical symptoms or signs of a concussion they will err on the side of caution. A player may sit out the rest of the game and a consultation with a physician would be required before they can return to the game.
What's a Concussion?
The brain is made up of soft tissue and it's cushioned by blood and spinal fluid. When someone gets a blow to the head or hits something very hard, the brain suddenly shifts inside the skull and can knock against the skull's bony surface. Sometimes this can happen with a lot of force. A concussion is a temporary change in the way the brain works when it is suddenly moved or jarred in this way.
Sometimes, concussions last for a short time. Other times, a person can have symptoms of a concussion that last for days or weeks. But even concussions that seem to be short can be serious.
Most of the time, after a mild head injury, people return to normal even if the injury caused a concussion. But getting more than one concussion can lead to more serious problems. We all have heard of NHL players who have long term medical problems or are no longer playing the game they love because of repeated concussions.
What Happens When Someone Gets a Concussion?
How someone acts after a concussion depends upon how forcefully the brain was jarred inside of the head. Sometimes a person loses consciousness, or is knocked out, for a few seconds or minutes.
A person may have a milder head injury and not be knocked out but still have a concussion. Despite being awake, some people might be unable to remember what happened right before or after the head injury.
Most people who have a concussion will feel groggy and dazed for at least a little while. They may feel like they are in a fog. They may be shaky or dizzy if they try to walk or do normal activities right away. Some feel nauseated (sick to their stomachs) or may even throw up right after a concussion. Many people will have a mild headache that lasts for a few days or longer.
It is common for children with post-concussion headache to complain that the headache gets worse at the end of the school day and while trying to concentrate in class, read, watch television, work on the computer or even while texting. The headache is often exacerbated by physical activity, such as walking, running or biking.
Common Symptoms and Signs of Concussion
Symptoms and signs may have a delayed onset (may be worse later that day or even the next morning), so players should continue to be observed even after the initial symptoms and signs have returned to normal.
* A player may show any one or more of these symptoms or signs.
Symptoms
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Feeling dazed
- Seeing stars
- Sensitivity to light
- Ringing in ears
- Tiredness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Irritability
- Confusion, disorientation
Signs
- Poor balance or coordination
- Slow or slurred speech
- Poor concentration
- Delayed responses to questions
- Vacant stare
- Decreased playing ability
- Unusual emotions, personality change, and inappropriate behaviour
What happens next if a doctor has determined my son or daughter has had a concussion?
Depending on the severity of a concussion as diagnosed by your physician will determine the overall steps and duration a player needs before they can return to full play. “Return to play” guidelines commonly used across many sports follow a 6 step process.
The return to play process is gradual, and begins after a doctor has given the player clearance to return to activity. If any symptoms/signs return during the process, the player must be re-evaluated by a physician. Remember, symptoms may return later that day or the next, not necessarily when exercising!
Step 1 - No activity, only complete mental and physical rest. Proceed to step 2 only when all symptoms are gone. This includes avoiding both mental and physical stress.
Step 2 - Light aerobic exercise, such as walking or stationary cycling. Monitor for symptoms and signs. No resistance training or weight lifting.
Step 3 - Sport specific activities and training (e.g. skating).
Step 4 - Drills without body contact. May add light resistance training and progress to heavier weights. The time needed to progress from non-contact to contact exercise will vary with the severity of the concussion and the player. Go to step 5 after medical clearance. (Reassessment and note)
Step 5 - Begin drills with body contact.
Step 6 - Game play.
(The earliest a concussed athlete should return to play is one week).
Prevention Tips
Players
- Make sure your helmet fits snugly and that the strap is fastened
- Get a custom fitted mouth guard
- Respect other players
- No hits to the head
- No hits from behind
For additional information and education tips:
Hockey Canada
www.hockeycanada.ca
Think First Smart Hockey Program at “ThinkFirst Canada” website
www.thinkfirst.ca
Dr. Tom Pashby Sport Safety Fund website
www.drpashby.ca
*Information drafted from multiple sources and should not be viewed as definitive, if you suspect your son or daughter may have experienced a Concussion you should consult with a physician immediately.
D2