If ever you or someone you know has a concussion get medical attention and follow up with the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control. . A concussion is an "Invisible Injury" . It is impossible to tell the severity of a concussion by looking at a person. Effects may be mild to severe. It may take hours to weeks.....for recovery.
Follow the detailed information on the cdc.gov/concussion website. Consult a concussion specialist.
Have the person take a real cognitive rest to heal the brain. Limit reading, writing, loud music, television, computer use, texting, and bright lights. Notify the doctor right away if the person feels odd in any way. Some unseen side effects may include mood swings, irritability, frustration, inability to focus, problems remembering or coping.
They may say they "do not feel right"
Doctors have always removed the athlete from physical education and sports to avoid re- injury. It is common for the equilibrium to be off and the person to lean in that direction bumping the same spot again. Each additional bump can be more severe than the last.
Not much was said about removing them from work or academics. It is all written on the cdc.gov/concussion website. Refer to the Heads Up to Schools Know Your Concussion ABC's follow the Return to Learn protocol.
A team of people should help the person to recover. A specialist if possible, the doctor, nurses, school nurses, administrators, teachers, coaches, parents, and the injured.
Our family knows first hand about concussions at their worst. We are spreading the message of concussion awareness in our son's memory.