ConCussion FaCts For Children and teens

This fact sheet is for kids like you who recently have had a concussion (or a “head injury” as it is sometimes called). It will tell you what to expect for the next little while and share some helpful hints for getting better.

What is a concussion?In cartoons, when a character gets bonked on the head everybody laughs because the character sees stars floating around in circles and is woozy and confused. But hitting your head isn’t funny. Your brain is in there and your brain helps you do very important things like walk, talk, pay attention, learn, think, and remember.

Because your brain is so important, it is protected by your skull, which is a very hard covering made of bone. The skull works kind of like a helmet. Most of the time when you hit your head you don’t get a concussion thanks to your skull.

But if you hit your head hard enough, your brain can be shaken around inside your skull and you get a concussion. Concussions can happen many different ways; for example, being in a car or ATV accident, falling off your bike or skateboard, or getting hit in the head while playing sports.

What happens after a concussion?After a concussion, most kids don’t feel well for a while. Luckily, they usually get better on their own pretty quickly. Some of the problems (“symptoms”) you may notice after a concussion are:• Not remembering what happened

when you got your concussion

• Fatigue, feeling tired • Trouble sleeping• Headaches• Blurry vision• Feeling bothered by noise or light• Feeling dizzy or like your head is

spinning • Feeling “foggy” or “zoned out” or

“slowed down”• Having trouble paying attention,

thinking, or remembering stuff • Feeling annoyed, frustrated or irritable• Getting mad more easily than usual• Feeling worried or nervous • Feeling sad or crying more easily than

usual

Because each person’s brain and injury is unique, some kids may have only a few symptoms but others may have many. Some kids may have mild symptoms and others may have more severe symptoms. Almost nobody gets all of them. When you have any of these problems it can be scary, but really it’s just your body telling you that your brain is still getting better and needs extra rest. Most kids feel normal again within two to three weeks. Sometimes it takes more time than that, but everyone does get better.

What should I do if I think I’ve had a concussion?The most important thing to do is to tell an adult right away that you think you hit your head. Sometimes kids may feel fine right after hitting their head but start to feel different a bit later. If this happens, it’s still important to tell an adult. They’ll help figure out if you need to go to the doctor and help you know what to do to get better.

What should I do about school?Many kids stay home from school for a day or two after a concussion. The brain needs extra rest to heal right after it’s been hurt. But getting back to school is important, too. For one thing, learning is good exercise for your brain! Make sure your teachers know you have had a concussion. Your parents may want to talk with them so they understand the things they can do to help you get better. Tell your teacher if you need a break during the day to rest, are getting a headache, are having trouble paying attention, or are having trouble remembering something. If you get worried or stressed about school, talk with your teachers and parents so they can figure out a plan for helping you.

What should I do if I’m feeling worried about my concussion? Getting a concussion can be scary. Many kids feel stressed out afterward. They may worry about their symptoms, keeping up with school, and missing out on sports. It can help to remind yourself that your symptoms are a normal part of getting better. Try to do things that help you stay calm. You may also feel better if you talk about your worries with an adult you trust - like a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, teacher, guidance counselor, or coach.

What should I do if I’m feeling tired? It’s normal to feel tired after a concussion. The best thing to do is get plenty of rest and sleep, eat healthy foods, and drink plenty of water. You

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should start noticing that you have more energy pretty quickly but doing too much too soon can make your symptoms worse. Even fun stuff like text messaging, playing video games, and watching television can make you feel bad. So start by doing just a little. If you feel fine, then you can do a bit more the next time, and even more the time after that. If your symptoms get worse or if you get new ones, it may be a sign that you are pushing yourself too hard and need to slow down even more.

What should I do if I’m getting headaches? Many kids get headaches after a concussion. Be sure to tell an adult. Working in a quiet place and keeping the lights low can help keep headaches away or make them hurt less. If you start getting a headache, try taking a break from what you’re doing. If that doesn’t work, lying down with the lights off and resting usually helps headaches go away faster. Most kids notice that their headaches get better on their own. But if the headaches hurt a lot or aren’t going away, your doctor can help decide if you need to take medicine.

What should I do if I’m having trouble paying attention? Sometimes it’s harder to concentrate and think after a concussion. For example, you may have trouble focusing on what your teacher is saying, what you are reading, or on your homework. Try working where it’s quiet, doing just one thing at a time, and giving yourself breaks. If you are doing something that

needs a lot of concentration, work for about 15 to 30 minutes, take a short break (especially if you feel yourself losing focus or getting “spacey”), and then work some more. Resting or doing something relaxing during the break may help.

What should I do if I’m having trouble remembering things? Some kids are forgetful after a concussion. It can help to write things down. Asking your parents and teachers for reminders when you forget something will also help.

What should I do if I’m feeling frustrated or irritable? Some kids notice that after their concussion, even little things can get on their nerves and they may lose their temper more easily than usual. If something is annoying you, try stopping what you’re doing and going to a quiet place to relax and calm down. Take deep breaths and think about what is upsetting you. Then, come up with possible ways to handle the situation and pick the best one. When you’re feeling calmer, talk with someone you trust about your feelings and what to do. If you have trouble realizing when you’re starting to get angry, your parents or teachers may need to help by pointing it out to you.

When can I play sports again?Your brain needs time to heal. If you hit your head again before you’re completely recovered from your concussion, it can slow down how

quickly you get better. Most kids have to take a break from sports and PE. You also should not do any other activities that could cause you to hit your head again. For example, you should not ride your bike, skateboard, jump on trampolines, or climb trees. Your doctor will decide when it’s safe for you to get back to your regular physical activities again.

Is there anything else I should know?Yes! Even when you are better from your concussion, you should still take good care of your head to protect your brain. One way to do this is to always wear a seatbelt when you are in a car, no matter what. You should also always wear a helmet when riding a bike or ATV, rollerblading, or doing anything else that could cause you to hit your head. And always use the right safety gear when playing sports. Stay safe!

If you have any questions that were not answered by this sheet, ask an adult for more information. We hope you feel better soon!

ReferencesInformation about Concussion for Kids (2006), by Michael W. Kirkwood, PhD & Pamela E. Wilson, MD.

Recovering from Head Injury: A Guide for Kids (2005), by Katrina Rayls, PhD & Wiley

Mittenberg, PhD.

SLC8649_5/12

My notes:

© Copyright 2012 St. Louis Children’s Hospital.