You see someone hit their head pretty hard, they might black out or have some other indication of a concussion. What’s next? Some serious signs and symptoms of concussions in adults include:
– severe bleeding of the head and/or face
– bleeding or fluid leaking out of nose or ears
– vomiting
– severe headache
– change in consciousness for more than a few seconds
– black and blue under the eyes or behind the ears
– lack of breathing
– confusion or agitation
– loss of balance
– weakness or inability to use an arm or leg
– unequal pupils
– slurred speech
– seizures
Some signs in children can include:
– any of the adult symptoms above
– persistent crying
– refusal to eat
– bulging in the soft spot on the front of the head (in infants)
– repeated vomiting
What to do while waiting for EMS/911:
– Stop any bleeding (use pressure with gauze or clean cloth unless you suspect a skull fracture)
– Watch for changes in breathing (if the person stops breathing and moving, start CPR)
– Keep the individual still (Have them lie down and try not to move their neck)
Watch a short video on concussions by the CDC here. Concussions are serious injuries. They are injuries to the brain and can be fatal if not treated appropriately. Not every concussion is life threatening, but receiving a multitude of concussions can be detrimental to memory and mental health. If you would like to get First Aid/CPR AED certified, sign up for a class here. Football, hockey, soccer, rugby, and basketball are sports with high rates of concussions. Car accidents, falls, and other daily accidents can also cause concussions. Everyone from infants to the elderly are at risk of getting a concussion, so knowing the right signs and symptoms in addition to how to treat them is important! Get first aid certified today to be prepared in an emergency!