Could I Have a Concussion from Soccer?

Published: July 24, 2017
Dear TeenHealthFX,
So around 48hours ago i was playing soccer and got hit really hard in the head and ive had a headache and pressure like feeling in my head since, and im very tired and sleeping way more than usual. I didnt lose consciousness and i never felt nauseous. Could it be possible that i have a concussion? Im female and 16 years old.
Signed: Could I Have a Concussion from Soccer?

Dear Could I Have a Concussion from Soccer?,

Given the symptoms you are experiencing it is definitely possibility you got a concussion from hitting your head so hard while playing soccer. TeenHealthFX recommends that you reach out to your primary care physician or an adolescent medicine doctor right away to let them know about the injury to your head while playing soccer, as well as your symptoms. It is important for you to meet with a medical health professional as soon as possible to find out if your symptoms are due to a concussion.

 

According to TeensHealth:

What Is a Concussion?

When you injure yourself, it's usually obvious. If you scrape your knee or break your arm, there will be bleeding, bruising, or swelling to show that some part of your body has been damaged.

But when you hurt your brain — what doctors call a brain injury or concussion — there's often nothing to see. That can be a little scary because brain injuries can be far more serious than a scrape or broken bone.

People hit their heads all the time — during sports, car accidents, and falls. Most of the time, the injuries aren't serious, but it can be hard to know for sure. That's why every head injury should be treated like a serious injury until a doctor says it's not.

 

The Mayo Clinic offers valuable information on the symptoms of a concussion, when to see the doctor, and what to do about returning to sports activities if there is a possibility of a concussion:

Symptoms of a concussion can include:

  • Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
  • Temporary loss of consciousness
  • Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
  • Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
  • Dizziness or "seeing stars"
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Delayed response to questions
  • Appearing dazed
  • Fatigue

 

When to see a doctor:

See a doctor within 1 to 2 days if:

  • You or your child experiences a head injury, even if emergency care isn't required

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you call your child's doctor for anything more than a light bump on your child's head.

If your child doesn't have signs of a serious head injury, remains alert, moves normally and responds to you, the injury is probably mild and usually doesn't need further testing.

In this case, if your child wants to nap, it's OK to let him or her sleep. If worrisome signs develop later, seek emergency care.

Seek emergency care for an adult or child who experiences a head injury and symptoms such as:

  • Repeated vomiting
  • A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds
  • A headache that gets worse over time
  • Changes in his or her behavior, such as irritability
  • Changes in physical coordination, such as stumbling or clumsiness
  • Confusion or disorientation, such as difficulty recognizing people or places
  • Slurred speech or other changes in speech

 

Other symptoms include:

  • Seizures
  • Vision or eye disturbances, such as pupils that are bigger than normal (dilated pupils) or pupils of unequal sizes
  • Lasting or recurrent dizziness
  • Obvious difficulty with mental function or physical coordination
  • Symptoms that worsen over time
  • Large head bumps or bruises on areas other than the forehead in children, especially in infants under 12 months of age

 

Athletes

Never return to play or vigorous activity while signs or symptoms of a concussion are present.

An athlete with a suspected concussion should not return to play until he or she has been medically evaluated by a health care professional trained in evaluating and managing concussions.

Children and adolescents should be evaluated by a health care professional trained in evaluating and managing pediatric concussions.

Adult, child and adolescent athletes with a concussion also should not return to play on the same day as the injury.

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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