Where Does it Hurt? Concussion

Are you ready for some Football!!!  I certainly am.  And with two-a-days starting last week, it is also concussion season.  This is one of the few sports that is not classified as a contact sport, but a collission sport.  Concussions have been a hot-button topic in the news as of late with the class-action lawsuit against the NFL taking center stage.  The most important facet in controling the dangers associated with concussions, is education.  I hope this article will help.

The definition of concussion will be simplified for the purpose of this article:

• the immediate and temporary loss of neurological function as a result of direct or indirect trauma to the head, face or neck
• immediate symptoms that reflect a problem with brain function (ie; speech) rather than a structural injury (ie; swelling or bleeding)
• there may or may not be loss of consciousness following the injury

Approximately 300,000 sports related concussions are reported every year.  To add to this data is the disturbing idea that the incidence of concussion is unknown because many athletes don’t realize they have had one OR they don’t tell anyone when they get hurt.  A study was conducted that investigated the difference in the reported and non-reported incidence of concussion in high school football players over the course of one season:

- 72 high school football players were surveyed 

• 47 of them sustained symptoms consistent with concussion and TOLD NO ONE!

*Conclusion*  

--There is a large discrepancy between the symptoms of concussions the athletes experienced vs. the actual number of cases of head trauma reported to coaches or team physicians.  

The importance of recognizing the signs/symptoms of a concussion cannot be stressed enough.  The resultant damage sustained from concussions is cumulative and the athlete should be aware of any prior incidences.  Parents, coaches and teammates should be familiar with the following changes in an athlete if they have been injured: *(these symptoms can be delayed a day or more following the injury)*

-problems thinking clearly

-problems paying attention

-confusion

-memory loss 

-dazed/vacant stare

-problems speaking clearly

-dizziness

-balance/coordination issues

-headaches

-mood/personality changes

-difficulty sleeping

Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) occurs when an athlete suffers a second concussion prior to the complete healing of a first concussion.  SIS has a 50% mortality rate. This means that 50% of athletes who sustain a second concussion before their first concussion has healed will die.  This should serve as a big slap in the face for any athlete or parent.  There are very specific protocols set forth by the ACSM(American College of Sports Medicine) and the AAN(American Academy of Neurology) which dictate how someone with a concussion must slowly return to play with a step-by-step process.  The same organizaitons also put in place a grading system which helps determine the length of time an athlete must sit out prior to begining the return-to-play protocols.  

If there is even the slightest suspicion that an athlete may have sustained a concussion, it is highly recommended that they see a doctor that is well versed in the subject and can perform an appropriate evaluation to direct the most effective treatment.