Sports Concussion Injuries: Player Guidelines

 

If you have sustained a suspected sports concussion injury it is important that you read this document and adhere to the guidelines it contains. 

 

We also suggest that after reading this document you give it to a responsible adult who is able to monitor you for the next 24 hours, and – in the event that there is any doubt at all about your immediate wellbeing - it is absolutely imperative that you seek proper medical advice. 

 

Be aware that the symptoms and signs of concussion injuries can be many and varied, with some signs being immediately apparent, and others coming on gradually or evolving over a period of time. The following recommendations are made in light of this fact.

 

Evolving Medical Emergency

 

There are certain symptoms and signs that are indicative of an unfolding medical emergency and it is absolutely imperative that you attend your nearest A&E (but do not drive yourself) if you experience any of the following:

 

• Increasingly severe headache.

 

• Persistent vomiting.

 

• Blurred or double vision.

 

• Seizures or fits.

 

• Loss of consciousness or decreasing level of consciousness.

 

• Slurred speech.

 

• Unsteady walking.

 

• Confusion.

 

• Bleeding or fluid from the ears or nose.

 

Non Emergency Situations

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In the absence of any indication that a medical emergency is occurring the following guidelines should be adhered to:

 

• Do not drive for at least 24 hours.

 

• Be super aware of your own sense of wellbeing across the next 24 hours, and ask your ‘monitoring adult’ to check in with you frequently as well.

 

• In the aftermath of your injury do not sleep for 3 hours, after which time it is then safe and advisable to get a full nights sleep.

 

• Do not consume drugs (even panadol) or alcohol as these can diminish your sense of self awareness, impair your ability to respond to a medical emergency if that became necessary, and cause further irritation to already traumatised nerve tissue.

 

• Avoid physical OR cognitive exertion for 72 hours – this includes anything that elevates the heart rate or requires increased brain activity (such as too much screen time).

 

• If you have any concerns at all seek a medical examination by your G.P. as soon as possible.

 

• Return to activities of daily living in a gradual way. If you find that any of your symptoms are exacerbated back off, give your body more time to heal, and check in with your G.P. or an appropriately qualified and registered health care practitioner.

 

• Don’t rush your return to exercise, and especially contact sports! Further head injuries in the weeks following a concussion injury can cause a severe flare up of your symptoms and are potentially damaging to longer term brain health, so it is important that your return to exercise is done in a safe and controlled way over a period of time.   

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