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petmoosieWe drove up to Baltimore and did touristy things around the harbor. The very first thing we did was find the bathrooms, because Emily really needed to go.
We did paddleboats. T and I paddled and Emily steered. We inspected the red boat and the sub (USS Torsk) from the water.
We saw a street performer doing a unicycle and juggling show (and insulting the audience and passers-by in a very funny manner). For example, I was wearing a tie-dye shirt and he said that I need to learn to separate colors in the wash. His main schtick was accusing various audience men of either being gay or frequenting the prostitutes nearby.
Then we discussed the tapas menu (at a Spanish tapas bar, La Tarsa) with Emily and she turned it down. Often she likes shrimp, but today she wanted crab. So we went to Phillips. They had traditional crab cakes (broiled and a little more butter) and Ocean City-style crab cakes (fried with more breading and more mustard). T ordered the Ocean City, I order the traditional and Emily ordered the crab cake sandwich (one crab cake with a bun, lettuce, tomato, and french fries). All of them came with cole slaw. That is some of the best cole slaw I've had.
After that Emily played on the interactive floor game for nearly an hour, while T and I discussed things we have to do to fix our back yard.
Then we watched fudge being rolled at the Fudgery and bought a whole bunch.
Then we saw another street performer.
Then we got ice cream.
Then a little girl (not ours) had a really bad fall on her head on the cement. Her parents were younger than us, and were talking nervously and sitting there. I went over and asked a few questions about whether she cried immediately (she did), how her pupils looked (the same and they responded to light) and whether she had thrown up (she hadn't). All of their answers are good for minimal head injury. They said that there was a Nightime Pediatrics near their home--an hour and a half away, but they were afraid that they should not let her sleep in the car. I said that if it was me, I'd get driving and take her right in near their house. Baltimore has great hospitals, but a lot of people in the ERs, and they would probably be seen quickly at home, and much later if they tried to go to a close ER. Plus the signs were good.
Then we left and it started pouring down rain. I really hope that the other family got moving.
We got totally drenched before we got to our car and drove home.
We did paddleboats. T and I paddled and Emily steered. We inspected the red boat and the sub (USS Torsk) from the water.
We saw a street performer doing a unicycle and juggling show (and insulting the audience and passers-by in a very funny manner). For example, I was wearing a tie-dye shirt and he said that I need to learn to separate colors in the wash. His main schtick was accusing various audience men of either being gay or frequenting the prostitutes nearby.
Then we discussed the tapas menu (at a Spanish tapas bar, La Tarsa) with Emily and she turned it down. Often she likes shrimp, but today she wanted crab. So we went to Phillips. They had traditional crab cakes (broiled and a little more butter) and Ocean City-style crab cakes (fried with more breading and more mustard). T ordered the Ocean City, I order the traditional and Emily ordered the crab cake sandwich (one crab cake with a bun, lettuce, tomato, and french fries). All of them came with cole slaw. That is some of the best cole slaw I've had.
After that Emily played on the interactive floor game for nearly an hour, while T and I discussed things we have to do to fix our back yard.
Then we watched fudge being rolled at the Fudgery and bought a whole bunch.
Then we saw another street performer.
Then we got ice cream.
Then a little girl (not ours) had a really bad fall on her head on the cement. Her parents were younger than us, and were talking nervously and sitting there. I went over and asked a few questions about whether she cried immediately (she did), how her pupils looked (the same and they responded to light) and whether she had thrown up (she hadn't). All of their answers are good for minimal head injury. They said that there was a Nightime Pediatrics near their home--an hour and a half away, but they were afraid that they should not let her sleep in the car. I said that if it was me, I'd get driving and take her right in near their house. Baltimore has great hospitals, but a lot of people in the ERs, and they would probably be seen quickly at home, and much later if they tried to go to a close ER. Plus the signs were good.
Then we left and it started pouring down rain. I really hope that the other family got moving.
We got totally drenched before we got to our car and drove home.
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Concussions
Date: 2008-09-01 12:59 am (UTC)A concussion results from a significant blow to the head. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. They can include:
* Headache
* Loss of consciousness
* Memory loss (amnesia) of events surrounding the injury
Emergency signs:
* Altered level of consciousness (drowsy, hard to arouse, or similar changes)
* Convulsions
* Muscle weakness on one or both sides
* Persistent confusion
* Persistent unconsciousness (coma)
* Repeated vomiting
* Unequal pupils
* Unusual eye movements
* Walking problems
Exams and Tests
A neurological examination may show abnormalities.
Tests that may be performed include:
* Head CT
* MRI of the head
Treatment
An initial "baseline" neurological evaluation by a health care worker determines appropriate treatment for an uncomplicated concussion. If a blow to the head during athletics leads to a bad headache, a feeling of being confused (dazed), or unconsciousness, a trained person must determine when the person can return to playing sports.
If a child or young adult has lost consciousness, that person should not play sports for a period of 3 months. Studies have shown that there is an increased rate of brain injury and occasionally death in people who have had a previous concussion with unconsciousness.
Concussion complicated by bleeding or brain damage must be treated in a hospital.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Full recovery is expected from an uncomplicated concussion, although prolonged dizziness, irritability, headaches, and other symptoms may occur.
Possible Complications
* Brain injury
* Intracerebral hemorrhage
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if anyone has a head injury that produces unconsciousness, or a head injury without unconsciousness that produces symptoms that cause concern.
Call 911 or go the emergency room if emergency signs develop.
Prevention
Attention to safety, including the use of appropriate athletic gear, such as bike helmets and seat belts, reduces the risk of head injury.
References
Ropper, AH, Gorson, KC. Clinical Practice; Concussion. N Engl J Med. 2007; 356: 166-172.
Update Date: 2/19/2008