May 13, 2016

Dr. Nick Reed: Concussions & Brain Injuries from Playground Mishaps

By

Jessica Boafo

In a recent article posted by CBC News entitled, "Concussions, brain injuries from playground mishaps on the rise", Dr. Nick Reed provides some advice on how to prevent children from suffering brain injury on the playground:

"We want to make sure there is some form of appropriate supervision. That doesn't mean hand holding and not letting children play the way they need to play to develop and be social but it does mean being available if an injury does take place."

According to the CBC, more U.S. children are needing treatment for traumatic brain injuries such as concussions from injuries on the playground despite safety improvements in playground equipment —  a trend Canadian doctors see too.

Dr. Reed also includes some tips for parents on how to monitor signs of concussion:

  • Physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness. 
  • Cognitive or thinking symptoms, such as feeling like they are thinking through a fog.
  • Sleep issues.
  • Emotional or mental health symptoms such as increased irritability or increased sadness.

Dr. Reed states, "If you look for all of those and even recognize just one, you want to make sure you're seeking medical attention." That's because a child's developing brain can be more vulnerable to the impact of a concussion.

To read the full article, visit the CBC News website.