Guidelines for at home observation following a blow to the Head

 

Parent / Guardian:

Please be advised that your child has suffered a blow to the head during athletic participation.  I recommend that you pay close attention to him / her for the next 24 to 48 hours or longer if necessary.  Please understand that the signs and symptoms of a head injury may not appear right away.

 

The following are features of concussion frequently observed.  If your child exhibits any of these you should seek medical attention immediately or if you have any doubt regarding the status of your child, please seek medical advice.

 

• Vacant Stare (befuddled facial expressions)
• Delayed verbal and motor responses. (slow to answer questions or follow instructions)
• Confusion and inability to focus attention (easily distracted and unable to follow through with normal activities)
• Disorientation (walking n  the wrong direction, unaware of time, date and places)
• Slurred or incoherent speech  (making disjointed or incomprehensible statements)
• Gross observation in coordination.  (stumbling, inability to walk tandem/in a straight line)
• Emotions out of proportion to circumstances. (distraught, crying for  no apparent reason)
• Memory deficits. (exhibited by the athlete repeatedly asking the same question that has already been answered, or inability to memorize and recall 3 of 3 words or 3 of 3 objects in 5 minutes)
• Any period of loss of consciousness.  (paralytic coma, unresponsiveness to arousal)

 

Also be observant of the following and seek medical advice if any persist:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Persistent headache resulting from a blow to the head
• Ringing in the ears
• Chronic stiffness in the neck.
• Over sensitivity to light or noise.

 

Check your child several time during the night to be assured that he/she is responsive to being woken up.

 

Lastly, please inform me or the coaching staff if your child does exhibit any symptoms that would preclude his/her ability to participate in athletics.

 

Thank you for your assistance in keeping your child safe and healthy.

 

E. A. Laney High School