Many people are not sure when a visit to the ER is necessary. Some people are more inclined to play it safe and go regardless of the severity of the condition, while others prefer to wait things out. ER doctors such as Dr. Josyann Abisaab stress that it is important for people to be familiar with different levels of emergency, to avoid unnecessary visits or lack of necessary care.
Head injuries are common in sports. Parents often see their children take a blow to the head, and then get up and continue playing. They may even sit out for a few minutes. It is important to understand that concussions are a type of brain trauma, and they do not always result in unconsciousness. While an ER visit is not always necessary, it is important that you take the hit seriously and pay attention to any changes in the child’s demeanor. Sudden drowsiness, vomiting, uneven pupil dilation and even a split second of unconsciousness are probably signs of a concussion. Consult a doctor before making the trip, if you’d like, but don’t brush the occurrence off. Also, if a laceration occurred at the time of the blow, the child should definitely be examined.
