Heads Up From #RiOrtho

April is National Facial Protection Month, so #RiOrtho wants to give you a heads up on concussions in youth sports. As your orthodontic provider, we understand that head concussions are a little out of our area of expertise. However, we feel it is our duty to provide you with as much information for your overall health as we can, when we see fit. That being said, let’s talk about concussions.

Did you know…

• Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
• Athletes who have, at any point in their lives, had a concussion have an increased risk for another concussion.
• Young children and teens are more likely to get a concussion and take longer to recover than adults.

A concussion is a form of a traumatic brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. Typically, a concussion is caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth. Even minor blows or bumps to the head can be serious.

Signs and symptoms can occur suddenly, or may not be noticed for days or weeks until after the injury. If one or more signs are noticed, it is advised to seek help from a health care professional. Check out some signs and symptoms of concussions observed by coaching staff and reported by athletes.

Remember, concussions affect people differently. While most athletes with a concussion recover quickly and fully, some will have symptoms that last for days, or even weeks. A more serious concussion can last for months or longer. Rest is the key to helping an athlete recover from a concussion.