Parents should know signs of concussion

DALLAS, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Parents should take time to review the latest guidelines about concussions before their children head for the practice fields, a U.S. physician says.

Dr. Robert Dimeff, director of family sports medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, advises parents to look over the athletic equipment to be used and make sure it fits properly, particularly the helmet.

Make sure your child-athlete knows how to wear it properly and does so in practice, Dimeff says.

"Parents, coaches and student athletes should know what symptoms to pay attention to," Dimeff says in a statement. "The signs and symptoms can come immediately after the impact or even days later."

In addition, athletes need to let a parent, coach or other adult know if they are feeling signs such as headache or "pressure" in their head, nausea or vomiting, balance problems or dizziness, blurry vision, sensitivity to light or noise, drowsiness or fatigue and concentration problems or confusion, Dimeff advises.

Parents should also note mood or behavioral changes, including athletes appearing stunned, dazed or confused about homework, particularly work that was not difficult before an injury, Dimeff says.

"Those symptoms justify a doctor's visit so a concussion isn't overlooked," Dimeff adds.