Guest post from Doctor Alison Alford, founder of the Pediatric Headache Center here in Richmond, VA
Warm weather is finally here! As we dig back out from over a year of sheltering in place and enjoy getting to see family and friends again, it is a good time to remember concussion prevention and awareness. We often think of concussions in athletes, but they can happen with any head injury and often without loss of consciousness. Common injuries this time of year are bicycle accidents, skateboards accidents and even sometimes minor falls. It is important that we do all we can to prevent concussions in the first place. All kids should wear properly fitted helmets and other safety gear when playing contact sports, biking, rollerblading, and skateboarding. We cannot prevent every concussion but we can do the best we can to keep our kids safe and minimize serious head trauma.
Unfortunately, kids will be kids and accidents will happen. So, it is essential for parents and coaches to recognize the common signs and symptoms of a concussion so that children can get prompt treatment and cognitive rest. It is important to monitor children even when they seem to feel okay because a concussion is a moving target and symptoms can sometimes develop hours later. When we miss or dismiss such complaints, we put children at risk for recurrence and more prolonged recovery.
Some of the signs and symptoms of concussions are as follows:
- Loss of consciousness
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking or balance issues
- Confusion and slurred speech
- Decreased responsiveness
- Memory loss
- Vomiting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
A concussion is a clinical diagnosis meaning it is often made based on the story you tell your doctor without any further studies. If your child has any of the above symptoms you should contact your pediatrician. They may not always order imaging studies like a CT scan depending upon your child’s physical exam. Children usually recover in a week or two following the injury. They should be removed from play or practice immediately to prevent further injury. It is not necessary to wake your child to check for symptoms even in the first 24 hours. Treatment with physical and mental rest will speed up recovery.
If symptoms persist or your pediatrician deems it relevant, you may be seen by a concussion specialist for further treatment such as prolonged rest and physical, occupation, vestibular or speech therapies. We at the Pediatric Headache Center of Richmond are able to help coordinate and manage all of the above aspects of treatment for our patients.
Date Night at Home Ideas
A regular date night out is a great thing, if you can make it happen. As any good therapist (or Instagram meme…) would say, the foundation of your family started with your relationship, so keeping it strong will benefit everyone. But date nights can be tricky to plan (read: finding a reliable babysitter) and expensive (read: paying said sitter plus whatever entertainment you choose for the evening). That’s why we also love a good date night in. There’s nothing wrong with a classic Netflix and take out combo post-bedtime, but we’re sharing five creative ideas to freshen up your regular routine.
Meet the Mom Behind Revtown Jeans!
As moms, finding wardrobe staples that are both comfortable and stylish is key. We need to be ready to go from the playground to pick up and from meetings to lunch, quick. That’s why we’re loving Revtown, a new brand of denim started by former Under Armour executives. We spoke to the Product Development Lead Jennifer Carcich, who is Mom to Wilder, 2 ½ and Violet, 7 months, about this innovative brand, her life as a working mom, and what’s next for Revtown.
Turkey and Sweet Potato Rainbow Chili
I love all the different colors in this dish, hence the name rainbow chili, and that it incorporates sweet potatoes without being overpoweringly sweet like some sweet potato chili recipes I’ve had. I also love that it’s so easy to get creative with and add any vegetables you like or have on hand and need to use. Plus it means I can make it a few weeks in a row and adjust it enough that it tastes unique each week.