When a child suffers a head injury, it's not only frightening for parents, it can be challenging for doctors to diagnose whether the injury is a concussion. It is important for parents to know the symptoms, when to seek treatment and how much time a child will need to make a full recovery from a concussion.
New research shows recovery time can take even longer for girls. In studies of student athletes, females suffered concussion symptoms more than twice as long as males.
Athletes in several local schools are now wearing a device that helps protect the brain during a head impact. The Q-Collar puts pressure on the jugular vein, increasing blood volume to create a natural bubble wrap around the brain.
Here to discuss concussion research, prevention and recovery are TriHealthSports Medicine Specialist and Heads Count Concussion Program Director Dr. Emily Dixon; and Cincinnati Children's Director of Sports Medicine Research, Dr. Gregory Myer.