Concussion

A Common Injury 

          With the high school football season reaching a crescendo as Fall days get shorter, this seems like a good time to discuss one of the most common sports injuries…concussion.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) up to 3.8 million sports related concussions occur in the U.S. every year.  While a concussion is usually not life threatening and most individuals recover, it can occasionally have serious consequences with long-lasting problems.  Recently, several prominent cases that have been covered in the national news have brought this topic home to student athletes, parents and health care providers alike.  Because of the attention these cases received, a number of new laws and guidelines have been suggested. 

Definition 

          Concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Over the past decade the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have increased public awareness of TBI, also known as the ‘silent epidemic’ because it can have debilitating symptoms for those affected even though they may have no obvious physical signs of injury.  The word concussion is derived from the Latin concussus meaning the action of striking together and from the Latin concutere meaning to shake violently.  As indicated from these Latin derivations, concussion can occur from either a blow to the head or as a result of the head and brain moving quickly back and forth.  While both the classification and definition of concussion are still evolving in the medical community, there is general agreement that a concussion results from a brain injury that involves temporary impairment of neurological function that heals itself with time. 

Signs and Symptoms 

          A concussion can be difficult to diagnose.  It is possible to have a concussion and not lose consciousness or pass out.  Some of the more common signs and symptoms include difficulty concentrating or not thinking clearly, difficulty remembering recent information, headache, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, change in mood and changes in the usual pattern of sleep.  For most affected individuals these symptoms occur right away and resolve quickly, but for others they may not manifest themselves until later and the symptoms may be slow to resolve. 

Treatment  

          The presence of certain signs and symptoms should prompt an immediate visit to a physician.  These include a worsening headache, nausea and vomiting, weakness, numbness, slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion or seizure activity.  Any loss of consciousness, even brief, should be taken seriously and warrants an evaluation by a health care professional.  Whenever there is any question whether a concussion has been sustained, a health care provider should be consulted to make the determination.  Athletes with a concussion should not return to sports activities until they have been evaluated and cleared by a physician.  Returning to sports too soon runs the risk of sustaining another concussion which only compounds the problem.  Multiple concussions over time can lead to serious, long term consequences. 

Prevention 

          Of course, not all concussions are sports related.  Wearing seat belts while driving or riding in a car is extremely important for preventing concussions.  Making living spaces safe from slipping, tripping and falling hazards is another easy way to prevent head injury.  It is also important to prevent fighting, which often results in a concussion.  Athletes participating in contact sports such as football, hockey and boxing are at particularly high risk of head injury, so wearing protective gear, including helmets is paramount.  Wearing a protective helmet during activities such as bike riding, skateboarding, and horseback riding is an important strategy in the prevention of concussion in all age groups. 

Take the Online Training 

          The CDC has developed a free online concussion training specifically designed for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and athletes.  Participants will learn important information regarding prevention, recognition and response to a concussion.  Check out this helpful course called “Heads Up Concussion” at the link below.

‘Heads Up Concussion’ Online Course