Concussions In Athletes
How to Recognize Concussions and How to Treat Them
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that results in temporary loss of normal brain function, including alteration of mental status and change in levels of consciousness. Concussions are typically the result of a traumatic blow to the head, such as taking a hard tackle or a ball to the head, but they can be caused by many other things, like car accidents or falls.
Concussions
The likelihood of suffering from a concussion while playing contact sports is 19% for every year of play.
In High School Athletes
More than 62,000 concussions are sustained each year in high school contact sports.
In College Athletes
34% of football players in college have had at least one concussion, while 20% of players have had multiple concussions.
Symptoms
The Three Main Symptoms Are:
- Inability to maintain a coherent stream of thought
- Disturbance of awareness and heightened distractibility
- Inability to carry out goal-directed movements
Other Symptoms Include:
- Prolonged headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Impaired balance
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Ringing ears
- Sensitivity to light
- Loss of smell or taste
Signs of a Concussion
- Athlete loses consciousness
- Athlete behaves differently
- Athlete unsure of game, score, or position
- Athlete forgets plays
- Athlete appears dazed, stunned, or confused
What to Do On the Field
If an Athlete is Injured:
- Remove the athlete from the area and have them lie down
- Ask questions about the surroundings and the event of the injury
- If a concussion is suspected, monitor the athlete until help arrives
Treatment and Prevention
After an Athlete has been Diagnosed with a Concussion:
- Rest is needed
- Daily monitoring is required
- Tylenol is given for headaches
To Prevent Concussions:
- Always have athletes wear safety equipment and head gear when playing contact sports
- Perform regular safety checks of sports fields and equipment