Symptoms of a concussion can last for less than a day or persist for weeks — even months. Two or more concussions put a person at risk of developing life-long problems. These include difficulty with balance, coordination and memory. And concussions can happen in all kinds of situations: sports, car or bike accidents, even slipping and falling. In fact, concussions are so common, nearly 250,000 kids and teens were treated for the injury in 2009 alone. There are likely many, many more that went unreported.

To help reduce the number of these all-too-common injuries, scientists have begun to study concussions in detail. They’re using the latest technology to figure out whether one has occurred. They’re getting the word out about the need to seek treatment after a head injury. And they’re working toward safer, more protective helmets.


Visit the new Science News for Kids website and read the full story: Concussion: More than ‘getting your bell rung’