Swedish Medical Center | Swedish Cares | Issue 1

4 key safeguards Fortunately, you can help protect your child from concussions and their harmful effects. Here’s what Martin advises to help keep kids safe: Comprehensive pediatric care Swedish Medical Center offers comprehensive pediatric medical services, including a dedicated pediatric emergency room. Learn more at swedishhospital.com/ pediatrics . EXPLORING SPORTS SAFETY Protect your child from concussions HERE’S A CRUCIAL HEADS-UP if you’re the parent of a child who loves sports: Concussions don’t only occur on football fields. They can occur in any team sport, from baseball and basketball to hockey and soccer. And they can happen outside of organized sports too—for instance, when your child is biking, skiing or snowboarding. Concussions affect tens of thousands of kids in the U.S. every year and are among the most dangerous sports injuries. Which is why “every concussion needs to be taken seriously,” says Darcy Martin, RN, Injury Prevention Coordinator at Swedish Medical Center. “Even a mild one can affect a child’s developing brain.” While most children recover fully with proper care, some concussions can permanently affect thinking, memory and learning. What’s more, once your child has one concussion, the risk of another goes up. “That second one is also likely to be more severe,” Martin says. Make helmets a must. Be sure your child always wears a properly fitting helmet for any contact sport; for any activity with wheels (such as biking or skateboarding); or when skiing, snowboarding or sledding. Although there’s no such thing as a concussion-proof helmet, a properly fitting one can reduce a concussion’s severity, Martin says. Stress proper play. See that your child follows the safety rules of whatever sport they engage in. Encourage honest communication. “Kids with a hit to the head or possible signs of a concussion may hesitate to tell a coach or other adult because they don’t want to stop playing,” Martin says. “But tell your child to always speak up.” Explain that it’s better to miss one game than face lingering problems from a concussion. Know a concussion’s red flags. They include: + + A headache. + + Nausea or vomiting. + + Dizziness or balance problems. + + Sensitivity to light or noise. + + Feeling sluggish or groggy. + + Fuzzy or blurry vision. + + Confusion or memory problems. + + Irritability. If your child has any of these signs or symptoms after a bump, blow or jolt to the head, he or she needs to stop all activity and see a doctor. “If kids with a concussion return to play too soon—while the brain is still healing—they risk serious complications,” Martin says. 6 Swedish Cares • Issue 1