• Traumatic Head Injury

    Traumatic Head Injuries (concussion) are injuries that occur to the brain.  Especially vulnerale to TBIs are youth ages 5-18.  Injuries to the head can occur on the playing field, playground at school, in the home, or just playing in the back yard with friends.
    TBIs are defined as damage to the skull and/or the brain due to an external physical force.  Force can range from varying objects hitting the head or circumstances, such as colliding with others or falling.
    Recognizing signs and symptoms and getting medical care for a TBI is vital in to the well being of the student.  Symptoms may occur immediately or over a period of hours/days.  School nurses are vigilant in monitoring any reported head injuries sent to the health room.  Physical assessments are intiated with appropriate reporting to teachers and parents.  A child may be symptom free at school but develop symptoms at home.
    Symptoms may include the following:  headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, slow speaking, extreme fatigue, sleepiness, mood changes, irritabilty, ringing in ears.