Head Injuries from Summer Sports That Are Easy to Miss

Summer is winding down, but there are still a few games to be played before we swing into fall. Most of us recognize the value of a summer sports league or even just a casual game with friends for both adults and kids. 

It’s a popular pastime that, unfortunately, can lead to injury. As such, it’s essential to learn the signs of a head injury, especially since they’re often easy to miss. 

Injury and Health Urgent Care can treat head injuries quickly and effectively, but timely intervention is crucial. Melissa Kempf, MD, and Shannon Wait, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, are here to answer your questions about sports injuries and provide you with information about common head injuries associated with summer sports.  

Sports-related head injuries (and how to recognize them)

Head injuries can run the gamut from a bump to serious brain damage. But because you can’t see what’s happening inside the brain, it’s essential to be aware of any blow to the head or neck suffered while participating in sports. 

Many sports leagues have protocols for these issues, but if you’re playing unsupervised, you’ll need to be even more vigilant. 

Some types of head injuries include concussions, second impact syndrome, and traumatic brain injury. These can all occur when a person is struck in the head or neck, or collides with something solid like another player or the ground. 

Head injuries are sometimes easy to miss because the person who sustains this kind of trauma may not lose consciousness or may seem unaffected at first. 

However, specific symptoms may begin to appear soon after the injury. They include: 

• Headaches
• Nausea 
• Lightheadedness 
• Ringing in the ears
• Confusion 
• Spinning sensation 

Of course, it can be difficult to tell if these symptoms are occurring because many of them aren’t immediately recognizable to others. 

Additionally, long-term symptoms may appear days to weeks later, sometimes culminating in serious problems in the future. 

What to do in the event of a head injury 

The first thing to remember is that you can’t know if the person has experienced a severe injury just by looking at them. So, if someone playing sports hits their head, it’s always safer for you to assume a head injury is possible. 

If someone experiences a head injury during a sports event and there is someone on-site designated to provide medical examinations, this should be done immediately. Children and adults who have hit their heads or experienced a hard fall or tackle should never return to the game without an evaluation. 

This also means, if there is no one on-site, the player will need to visit a clinic. Our facility is an ideal location for a prompt and accurate diagnosis of a head injury.  

The evaluation we perform consists of a discussion of the person’s symptoms (if any) and the use of the Glasgow Coma Scale. This guideline helps providers determine the severity of a head injury by gauging cognitive function. 

We also look for noticeable bruising or bumps and perform a clinical neurological exam to ensure your responses are working properly. Depending on the type of hit and your symptoms, your provider may also recommend diagnostic tests, such as an EEG or X-ray, when necessary. 

Head injuries are serious, but treatment is available

We recommend that any person with a head injury be assessed immediately by a medical professional. This is the safest way to avoid missing a possible injury that could cause serious problems. Don’t skip an evaluation; the game can wait. 

If you would like to learn more about head injuries or visit our San Antonio, TX, office, please call today or schedule an appointment online. We’re here to help!