Youth and Concussions

A concussion is a brain injury. It affects the way a person may think and remember things and can cause a variety of symptoms and signs.

Facts about Concussions

• In Niagara, most emergency room visits for concussions are in 10-19 year olds
• Over 50% of brain injuries in youth are caused by sports
• The Ministry of Education's Policy/Program Memorandum No.158 requires your school to have a concussion policy. This will promote student health and safety and ensure healthy and safe environments in which students can learn.
• Niagara Region Public Health is working with local minor sport organizations to help protect young athletes against concussions. Learn More about Concussions and Minor Sports in Niagara.

Causes of a Concussion

• Any blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that transmits a force to the head may cause a concussion
• A concussion can occur during sports and recreational activities, as well as due to falls, motor vehicle collisions, and violence
• Most concussions in 10-19 year olds result from sports and recreational activities
• In children under 10 years of age, most concussions result from falls

Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion

• Loss of consciousness
• Headache
• Seizure or convulsion
• Dizziness
• Balance problems
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling slowed down
• Drowsiness
• "Pressure in head"
• More emotional
• Blurred vision

• Irritability
• Sensitivity to light
• Sadness
• Amnesia
• Fatigue or low energy
• Feeling like "in a fog"
• Nervous or anxious
• Neck Pain
• "Don't feel right"
• Sensitivity to noise
• Difficulty remembering
• Difficulty concentrating

Most concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness. There is no helmet available to make you "concussion-proof."

Signs and symptoms may be immediate or may take hours or days to emerge.

If you think you have a concussion, you should stop the activity immediately. Tell someone - parents, coaches, teachers, friends.

It is important that you are examined by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner as soon as possible that day.

Without identification and proper management, a concussion can result in permanent brain damage and in rare occasions, even death. Second impact syndrome is a rare condition that causes rapid and severe brain swelling and often catastrophic results. It occurs when an individual suffers a second concussion before he/she has fully recovered from the first concussion.

Guidelines for Students Recovering from a Concussion

The Concussion Tool outlines the step-wise process to recover from a concussion.

A student with a diagnosed concussion needs to follow a medically supervised, individualized "Return to Learn/Return to Physical Activity Plan". A concussion is a brain injury and needs time to heal.

More Information about Concussions

• Talk to your doctor, parents, teachers, coaches
• Watch Dr. Mike Evans Video - Concussion Management and Return to Learn
• Visit Ontario's Concussions page