Concussions
If a player gets a head injury during a practice or a game, coaches need to watch him or her for possible signs of a concussion. If the player experiences one or more of the following signs or symptoms, he or she should be referred to a health care professional to determine if the player has a concussion:
- Appears dazed or stunned
- Is confused about events
- Repeats questions
- Answers questions slowly
- Can't recall events prior to the injury
- Can't recall events after the injury
- Loses consciousness (even briefly)
- Shows behavior or personality changes
- Headache or "pressure" in the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Fatigue or feeling tired
- Blurry or double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Numbness or tingling
- Does not "feel right"
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty remembering
- Feeling more slowed down
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
- Irritable
- Sad
- More emotional than usual
- Nervous
Players should be seen in an emergency department right away if he or she has:
- One pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
- Drowsiness or cannot be awakened
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away
- Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- Repeated vomiting ro nausea
- Slurred speech
- Convulsions or seizures
- Difficulty recognizing people or places
- Increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation
- Unusual behavior
- Loss of consciousness
If it is determined that the player did experience a concussion, the coach will need a note from the doctor saying it is okay for the player to resume practices and games.