As fall sports season kicks off, parents are gearing up for another exciting season of football, soccer, volleyball and cheerleading. But for some families, the excitement can quickly turn into concern if a child suffers a concussion. With National Concussion Awareness Day approaching on Sept. 19, it’s crucial for parents in Central Florida to be informed about how to protect their kids from the dangers of concussions and how to navigate the road to recovery.
Each year, about half a million children in the U.S. suffer a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). While most of these children recover quickly, there is a significant portion who experience what is known as Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome (PPCS), continuing to suffer from debilitating symptoms months after their injury. These symptoms — such as fatigue, anxiety, irritability or emotional fluctuations, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, sleep difficulties and headaches — can disrupt their daily lives, making it difficult to enjoy school, social activities, and family time.
What most parents may not realize is that the true long-term impacts of concussions in youth sports can go far beyond what happens on the field. It’s easy to think of a concussion as a one-time event that simply requires a break before returning to action. However, research and clinical observations show that untreated concussions and their lingering effects can pose significant risks to a child’s long-term health and development.
The problem is compounded by the fact that concussion diagnoses and treatment guidelines for children are still underdeveloped. Current medical guidelines tend to focus on treating symptoms for just a couple of weeks after the injury, often dismissing the fact that many children endure persistent symptoms long after the injury occurs. Unfortunately, this limited focus on short-term recovery can be detrimental to a child’s growth and well-being.
As a neuro specialist who has seen firsthand the effects of untreated concussions, I can tell you that these symptoms, if left unaddressed, can greatly impact a child’s neurological development as they grow into adulthood. Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome can also lead to memory and behavioral problems that persist well beyond adolescence. In my practice, I’ve worked with young patients who, years after their initial concussion, still face challenges in school, relationships and daily activities.
In some cases, untreated concussions can even affect a child’s emotional regulation, causing increased anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. These cognitive and emotional challenges are not temporary — they’re long-lasting and can disrupt the course of a child’s life well into their adult years.
That’s why it’s critical for parents to be proactive when it comes to concussion awareness, especially as fall sports season begins. If your child suffers a concussion, make sure to ask the onsite trainer or physician these crucial questions: What are the signs of a concussion? When should they return to the field? What treatment plans are in place for children who may have symptoms that last longer than two weeks? Understanding the full scope of concussion treatment is not just about getting a child back on the field; it’s about ensuring they have the necessary support to heal fully, both physically and neurologically.
Emerging research has shown that long-term care for children suffering from PPCS is beginning to take a more promising turn. A 2022 study revealed the first-ever effective treatment for PPCS in children: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This innovative treatment has shown significant promise, improving memory and behavioral issues, and even healing the brain’s cortical regions, which are often damaged during a concussion. This discovery brings much-needed hope to parents who have watched their children suffer without relief from traditional treatments.
Understanding the full impact of concussions on the developing brain is still a work in progress. But what we do know is that being educated and vigilant can make all the difference for your child’s health. As we enter another fall sports season, I encourage you to educate yourselves, ask the right questions, and be active participants in your child’s recovery. Let’s use National Concussion Awareness Day as a reminder that our children’s health, both in the short term and long term, is worth prioritizing.
Amir Hadanny of Winter Garden is a neurosurgeon, researcher, and CEO at Aviv Clinics, specializing in the use of hyperbaric medicine to optimize brain and body performance.
