When in Doubt, Sit Them Out

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A Guide to Concussions in Kids and Teens

Concussions are very common injuries, especially in young athletes. In fact, the CDC reports 7 out of 10 visits to the emergency department for sports and recreation-related brain injuries are among children ages 17 and under. It’s important for parents, coaches, and players to know the signs of a concussion and how to respond.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head; or a hit to the body that makes the head move quickly. This sudden movement can hurt the brain. Usually, concussions aren’t life-threatening but repeated injuries or lack of healing can lead to severe complications and increase the risk of developing serious health conditions.

Signs of a Concussion

Even a light hit to the head can be serious so it’s important to remove the athlete from play immediately after any type of blunt contact. Since symptoms can take a few days to appear, experts advise athletes sit out for at least 72 hours. Symptoms of a concussion can include:

Physical

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurry vision
  • Balance problems
  • Sensitivity to light or noise

Thinking

  • Trouble concentrating or remembering
  • Feeling slow or confused

Emotional

  • Irritability
  • Sadness
  • Anxiety or nervousness

Sleep

  • Sleeping more or less than usual
  • Trouble falling asleep
  • Daytime drowsiness

If there are no symptoms within the first 72 hours of the incident, it’s generally safe to resume normal activity. If you’re unsure, schedule an appointment with your NOAH provider.

How to Treat a Concussion

If you suspect a concussion, especially when severe symptoms are present, seek emergency care immediately. A doctor will do a physical exam, ask questions, and check symptoms. Imaging is usually not needed, but your provider may recommend a CT scan or MRI to rule out serious complications like bleeding in or around the brain. The doctor will give a recovery plan and let you know when your child can return to activity.

Step 1: Brain Rest

The first part of the plan is to rest the brain from activities that require concentration and focus. This includes limiting schoolwork and testing, restricting the use of electronics including video games, TV, cell phone use, and computers. Brain cells need to time repair themselves. Time helps the healing process, and the effects of the concussion should lessen as symptoms decrease and become more tolerable.

Step 2: Physical Rest

The second part of the plan is physical rest. Once an athlete can tolerate school and is without symptoms at rest, they can slowly return to physical activity. Initially start with some light activity, progressing to sport-specific exercises without head impact or contact, non-contact training drills with some light resistance training, and finally after medical clearance full contact practice. Each step should take at least 24 hours and if at any time symptoms worsen or return, they must return to the previous step.

Injury Prevention

To minimize the risk of concussions or other sports-related injuries, athletes should always use recommended helmets and safety gear. Check with your school or sports organization to verify equipment fits properly, is appropriate for the sport, and certified in good condition. For more information about concussions, talk with your NOAH provider or visit the CDC’s Heads Up resources page on their website. By recognizing the signs, responding quickly, and prioritizing recovery, we can help protect young athletes—because when it comes to concussions, playing it safe is always the smartest move.