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Sport Related Concussion Info

If you have been suspected of a concussion by an athletic trainer, other licensed health care professional, coach, teacher, or parent you must be removed from play until diagnosed and treated by a physician with proper steps to return to school and sport.

If you have talked to someone on the Shannon Sports Medicine team, you will be contacted within 24-72 hours for further instructions on next steps and follow-up in the concussion clinic.

In the meantime, here is what you should know:

If any of the following red flags occur, please contact the local emergency department or go to the emergency room for further evaluation.

  • Decreasing level of consciousness
  • Increasing confusion
  • Increasing irritability
  • Loss of or fluctuating level of consciousness
  • Numbness in arms or legs
  • Pupils becoming unequal in size
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Slurred speech or inability to speak
  • Inability to recognize people or places
  • A consistently worsening or severe headache
It is ok to:
  • Only use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for headaches as directed on bottle
  • Use ice pack on head and neck as needed for comfort
  • Eat a carbohydrate-rich diet
  • Initial rest for 24-48 hours
  • Encourage activities of daily living without an increase in symptoms
There is no need to:
  • Check eyes with flashlight
  • Wake up frequently
  • Test reflexes
  • Stay in bed
Do NOT
  • Drink alcohol
  • Drive a car or operate machinery
  • Engage in physical activity that makes symptoms worse
  • Engage in mental activity that makes symptoms worse
  • Take any NSAIDS non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs (ie, ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, etc)
Some common symptoms include:

Physical

  • Bothered by light or noise
  • Dizziness or balance problems
  • Feeling tired, no energy
  • Headaches
  • Nausea or vomiting (early on)
  • Vision problems

Thinking and remembering

  • Attention or concentration problems
  • Feeling slowed down
  • Foggy or groggy
  • Problems with short- or long-term memory
  • Trouble thinking clearly

Social or emotional

  • Anxiety or nervousness
  • Irritability or easily angered
  • Feeling more emotional
  • Sadness

Sleep

  • Sleeping less than usual
  • Sleeping more than usual
  • Trouble falling asleep

For more information, contact:

Shannon Concussion Clinic
2237 S. Jackson
San Angelo, TX 76904
Phone: 325-747-2036
Fax: 325-747-2023