Preventing Concussions
By Austin White, Timmy Maxwell and,Aidan Vancura
What is a concussion?
Injury to the brain from rough hit to the head, usually when you get this you lose consciousness, is the reason that is not thoroughly understood. Lots of pressure on the brain probably causes the slowing and respiration and the reduced pulse rate that goes with a concussion; some symptoms are sweating, and a drop in blood pressure. Dizziness, nausea, and a dull, restless feeling often come after a return to consciousness. After effects such as headaches, dizziness, and nervousness may may go on for as much as two years after the injury. A concussion may temporarily or permanently damage nerve tissue, producing amnesia, irritability, and fatigue; memory is more often than not erased. Recovery from a concussion is usually complete and adressed after less severe injuries.
Causes of a Concussion
Your brain has a texture of gelatin. The brain is protected from daily movements and regular jolts by cerebrospinal fluid inside your skull. A tragic blow to your head and neck or upper body can cause your brain to move back and force forcefully against the inner walls of your skull. Sudden movements of the head, resulting from intense events such as a car crash or being violently shaken, also can cause brain injury and or swelling which is a concussion. During a head injury severe enough to cause concussion, your brain is moved out of its position for a limited period of time. This movement aggravates the electrical activities of brain cells in the RAS, which in turn triggers symptoms associated with concussion, such as loss of memory, a brief period of unconsciousness, and mental confusion.
Anything can cause a concussion
Boxing is one of the easiest ways to get a concussion
Concussions have been happening forever.
Complications of Concussions
The concussion is a serious injury that should not be overlooked. There are many things that can result in concussions such as, motor phenomena, post traumatic seizures, risk of depression, chronic traumatic Encephalopathy, and even minor cognitive impairment.
Statistics
More than 248,000 kids visited Emergency Rooms in 2009 for concussions and other bad brain injuries due to sports and recreation. 15.8% of people that play football get a concussion bad enough to cause loss of consciousness but still return to the game or practice the same day. This is bad because if you have a concussion, you are much more susceptible to get a more severe one. Four to five million people get a concussion each year.
A Solution to the Problem
Schools should look into doing a before and after test for concussions for all students instead of just athletics. Concussions can happen anywhere and anytime. With this, concussions can be discovered easier and more frequently. Therefore, leading to less devastating injuries later in life.
What are we trying to get you to do?
Concussions need to be addressed, there also needs to be nation wide tests regularly, for athletes and even non-athletes. Concussions are very serious and need to be adressed causiously. PLEASE ask your administrator to start annual concussion checks. We have eye checks why not have brain checks? Isn’t your brain more important than your eyes?