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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Preventing Childhood Concussion Tips From The CDC !!




  Children and Teens by Nature are rough and Tumble they play hard and sometimes  get hurt in the process Sometimes by accident and with younger kids just not knowing any better. Protecting Their Children is any Parents main Concern Especially  from Head injuries. Being a Parent myself of Four  kids.Three of which are active in various Team sports along with bike riding .Motorbike riding ,Air soft Wars and various other activities, Then we have my youngest son Xavier  who is 2 Years Old and  is equally as active Pinging around the place like a  Little Ping Pong Ball. I can't tell you how many times this child has fell or ran into something not to mention trying to scale anything he possibly can he is a little Climber anything he thinks he get climb up he does.
 Head safety,Preventing Brain injuries and concussions is a must .Reality is all kids are active and sometimes play rough and accidents do happen sometimes regardless of how safe you are.The CDC has Created a Heads up Program to educate everyone on Concussions including Traumatic Brain injury this also includes Prevention tips and Recognizing the Signs of a Concussion or traumatic Brain injury and what to do if you suspect your child has a concussion.

It's important both Parents,Teachers, Coaches,and child care providers to Know about Concussions and what to do if they suspect a Child or teen has a concussion.Parents ,Coaches and Athletes are encouraged to share their stories and ask questions at http://www.facebook.com/cdcheadsup.

What is a Concussion?A Concussion is a Type of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI),Caused by a bump,jolt, or blow to the head.They also occur from a fall or blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and Forth.

What are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

• Headaches that won’t go away
• Having more trouble than usual remembering things or concentrating
• Confusion about recent events
• Feeling tired all of the time
• Feeling sad or anxious
• Becoming easily irritated or angry for little or no reason

Facts:

  • Kids and Teens are More Likely to get a Concussion or TBI and it Takes Longer for them to recover.
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem in the United States.  Each year, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. Recent data shows that, on average, approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually.



Tips for Preventing a Concussion: The CDC Offer tips HERE to Prevent Concussion.Here are a few of my own Tips:

-When Playing Sports Use the proper equipment,make sure it is the right size and put on Properly and in good working order.
-Wearing Bike Safety and Rollerblade Safety equipment while Riding including Helmet,Knee and Elbow pads once again make sure all is fitted and put on properly along with in good working condition.
-While riding in a automobile Buckle up and use the appropriate seat for your child's age and weight.
-Keep a eye out and avoid slick surfaces.
-Use Safety Gates for the Bottom and Top of  stairs when younger children are around.

The CDC has created a 4-Step Heads Up Action Plan to help protect children and teens if you think they may have a Concussion 
.
1. Keep your teen out of play. If your child or teen has a concussion, her/his brain needs time to heal. Don’t let your child or teen return to play the day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says he or she is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first—usually within a short period of time (hours, days, or weeks)—can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in edema (brain swelling), permanent brain damage, and even death.

2. Seek medical attention right away. A health care professional experienced in evaluating for concussion will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your child or teen to return to sports. 

3. Teach your child or teen that it’s not smart to play with a concussion. Rest is key after a concussion. Sometimes athletes wrongly believe that it shows strength and courage to play injured. Discourage others from pressuring injured athletes to play. Don’t let your child or teen convince you that s/he’s “just fine.”

4. Tell all of your child or teen’s coaches and the school nurse about ANY concussion. Coaches, school nurses, and other school staff should know if your child or teen has ever had a concussion. Your child or teen may need to limit activities while s/he is recovering from a concussion. Things such as studying, driving, working on a computer, playing video games, or exercising may cause concussion symptoms to reappear or get worse. Talk to your health care professional, as well as your child or teen’s coaches, school nurse, and teachers. If needed, they can help adjust your child or teen’s school activities during her/his recovery.
In addition to this, the Heads Up campaign includes tailored educational materials and messages developed for specific audiences, such as:  

To learn more about the Heads Up initiatives and to order your own materials, visit http://www.cdc.gov/concussion.Join The Discussion on Facebook.

You can also order the CDC'S Heads Up Materials Online
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