Concussion Awareness
Allie Roberts
What is a concussion?
A brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head and body.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
Normally self-diagnosable: headache, confusion, lack of coordination, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, ringing in the ears, sleepiness, and excessive fatigue.
How common is a concussion?
- 1.6 million to 3.8 million concussions occur each year
- 5-10% of athletes will experience a concussion in any given sport season
- Football is the most common sport with concussion risk for males (75% chance for concussion
- Soccer is the most common sport with concussion risk for females (50% chance for concussion)
How to prevent it
- Wear protective equipment
- Do not hit things directly with your head
- Do not play full contact sports until after 25, the brain is not fully developed until then.