Confusion Over Potential Concussion in My Son
Greetings, I find myself feeling quite puzzled regarding my son's recent experience. When he was just fifteen months old, he sustained a mild concussion. Later on, around the ages of three or four, he also bumped his head in an incident that might have resulted in a concussion as well. Now, at the age of 7 and a half, he weighs approximately 70 pounds and is generally in good health, with no signs of post-concussion syndrome or any lasting effects from previous injuries. However, two weeks ago, a classmate—known for his aggressive behavior throughout the school year—struck my son on the head from behind with a filled Poland Spring water bottle during lunchtime. I have reason to believe this impact was rather forceful and with intent to harm, given the circumstances. This classmate is also around 7 or 8 years old. Initially, I was firmly convinced that my son had suffered a concussion, especially given the symptoms he reported immediately following the incident: nausea, dizziness, headaches, and a sense of disorientation. He even mentioned feeling like he might vomit. Remarkably, the following day, he seemed nearly back to his normal self, engaging in basketball and various playground activities. A few days later, however, he experienced some nausea and dizziness again while attempting to walk uphill during a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring between 90 to 100 degrees. Although I realize the conditions were exceptionally challenging, my son is quite athletic, and he appeared uncharacteristically fatigued while climbing the hill, expressing a worry that he might faint. Additionally, he reported feeling nauseous after an intense day of activity around ten days post-incident. Today, I took the opportunity to visit his school to review the footage of the incident involving the water bottle. The quality of the video was somewhat subpar, but the impact didn't seem particularly severe. I'm also watching a YouTube video in which the creator claims that significant force is necessary to cause a concussion, mentioning thresholds of around 70 G's for adults and approximately 62 G's for children. This leads me to wonder if it’s even feasible for an 8-year-old to potentially cause a concussion in a 7-year-old using the blunt end of a Poland Spring water bottle, regardless of the force used behind the action. While all indications suggest my son might have had a concussion, I can't help but question the likelihood of such an injury occurring in this manner. Could it be possible for him to experience these symptoms without actually having sustained a concussion?
Answers (1)
7/3/2025, 6:31:04 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned about your son’s recent head injury and the symptoms he experienced. Given his history of previous head injuries and the circumstances surrounding this incident, it’s important to monitor his health closely.
Main Points:
- Your son may have experienced a concussion after being struck on the head, but the symptoms can also be related to other factors.
- Monitoring his symptoms and ensuring he is increasingly improving is crucial.
- Understanding the nature of head injuries and being aware of concussion signs will help in making informed decisions.
Explanation:
A concussion can occur without a significant impact if the force is enough to shake the brain inside the skull. Symptoms you described, like nausea, dizziness, and headaches, can come from a concussion. However, these symptoms can also arise from other causes such as dehydration, heat exhaustion (particularly in a heatwave), or even anxiety about the incident.
The force required to cause a concussion varies significantly by individual circumstance, and while the video may suggest certain thresholds, the immediate symptoms are more indicative of whether there was an injury. Given that his symptoms improved rather quickly and he returned to regular activities, managing hydration and reducing risks in heat would be essential right now.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on his symptoms over the next few days. If he experiences persistent or worsening headaches, ongoing dizziness, unusual fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or changes in behavior, it becomes essential to seek appropriate care.
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Stay Hydrated: Ensure he drinks plenty of water, especially given the recent heatwave. Dehydration can worsen symptoms like dizziness and fatigue.
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Rest and Low Activity: Encourage him to take things easy and not engage in rigorous activities if they cause dizziness or discomfort. Giving his brain time to rest is important in preventing prolonged symptoms.
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Educate about Head Safety: Discuss the importance of safety and how to avoid similar incidents at school. Creating awareness may help him advocate for himself in potentially dangerous situations.
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Consider Environmental Factors: Pay attention to how he reacts to heat and intense physical activity; if he continues to feel unwell, evaluating his tolerance and activity limits becomes important.
If there are any concerning changes or if symptoms persist or return, you may want to look into further evaluation. Take each day as it comes, and ensure he feels supported as he recovers.
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