=== Jordan J. Ghassemian & Evan Cole Lewis, MD ===

With fall now in full swing, people all around the community are enjoying the last of the nice weather before the winter chill sets in. That means lots of folks heading outdoors to play their favorite sports and recreational activities. The susceptibility to concussion is on the rise, with information from the government of Canada stating:

“Among children and youth (10-18 years) who visit an emergency department for a sports-related head injury, 39% were diagnosed with concussions, while a further 24% were possible concussions.”   

That being said, it is important for parents and family to be aware of the signs of concussion. Some of the more common signs include: headache, nausea, balance deficits, light and noise sensitivity, concentration problems, foggy thinking, and difficulties controlling emotions. If signs of concussion are identified, it is important that the individual be treated accordingly to ensure a successful recovery before resuming sports or any other physical activity.

Much has changed in the treatment of concussion in the last few years.  All individuals should rest for at least 24 hours following a suspected concussion and undergo a medical evaluation by a physician for further management guidance. Active rehabilitation is the encouraged treatment modality. You can find NCT’s protocol for Active Rehabilitation here.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has funded the making of a mobile app to help anyone prevent and spot a concussion effectively, so we can all feel safe out there playing our favorite sports and games!

The mobile app can be found at: http://www.parachutecanada.org/concussion/whattodo

To learn more about concussion check out NCT’s Patient Resources here.