All About Concussions

Introduction:

Concussions occur pretty frequently in athletes. “An estimated 3.8 million people get concussions each year in the United States.””And 5 percent of high school athletes become concussed each athletic season.” In the athletic community concussions are considered routine and just an experience that comes with playing a sport; however these injuries shouldn’t be taken lightly.

What is a concussion?

• A concussion occurs after the brain undergoes a traumatic caused by possibly a fall, tackle, jolt, blow, etc. to the head

• The event causes the brain to move inside the skull

• The concussion changes the way the brain usually functions

Sports with the most concussions per year

• Sports with more hands on contact tend to have the most concussions

• Sports like football, girls soccer, and ice hockey have the most concussions per year

• Female athletes have shown to have more reported concussions in sports

• Some other sports with many reported concussions include: wrestling, lacrosse, volleyball, and field hockey.

Short term symptoms of a concussion:

• Headaches lasting for a long period of time

• Drowsiness

• Slurred speech

• Loss of consciousness

• General confusion

• Fatigue

• Blurred vision

• Sensitivity to sensory (lighting, sound)

Long term symptoms of concussion (if untreated)

• If untreated concussions can cause long lasting issues

• Memory loss

• Brain damage

• Personality changes

• Issues with concentration

• Depression

Healing process tips

• SEE A DOCTOR

• Stay away from screens or any activity that makes you concentrate, like reading, writing, etc

• Get plenty of sleep

• Stay away from physical activities

• Stay hydrated

When you begin to have milder symptoms:

• Introduce activities gradually and consult a doctor about this process

• Begin to use screens with moderation

• Still get plenty of rest

• Increase physical activity little by little each day

Prevention:

We can all choose to be a little safer in sports with some simple prevention tips

• Invest time and research into helmets for your sport if used

• Please remember to wear safety equipment

• Enforce rules of the game (promotes safety)

• Have conversations with teammates/ coaches about injury prevention

Conclusion:

Concussions are caused by a hard blow, so don’t take the recovery process lightly! Stay safe and remember these tips if you ever run into an injury.

Sources:

“Concussion.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 22 Feb. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355600.

“Concussions: How They Can Affect You Now and Later .” University of Utah Health, healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2016/11/concussion.php.

Y. Kerr, Zachary, et al. “Concussion Incidence and Trends in 20 High School Sports.” American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1 Nov. 2019, pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/144/5/e20192180/tab-figures-data.

“Concussion in Athletes.” Concussion in Athletes | Michigan Medicine, www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/brain-neurological-conditions/concussion-athletes-neurosport.