Many mistakenly believe it is important to keep people, especially children, awake after they have been struck on the head. One reason it is important for coaches to recognize concussions is that the signs of concussion are not always immediately apparent. Football, hockey, and soccer have high potential for head injury, and player research has given insight into what symptoms may occur.
If you’ve suffered a concussion, your vision may be disturbed, you may lose your equilibrium, or you may fall unconscious. Talk to teachers about helping them catch up on school work and about timing of tests or major projects. A concussion can result in symptoms other than a change in the patient’s mental state. Falls and motor vehicle accidents are a more common cause of concussion in older adults.