Last week, we discussed different types of sports injuries and signs you can look for as a parent or coach of young athletes.
One serious sports-related injury we didn’t cover last week is a concussion. Concussions are considered mild traumatic brain injuries that deserve their own column and attention.
We often associate concussions with contact sports, like football and ice hockey, but they can happen during any sport, physical activity, or household chore. Sports and recreational activities where collisions are more common present a higher risk for concussions and require head protection and mouthguards.
With school districts and club teams hitting the field of play, it’s an opportune time to review concussion symptoms, preventive measures, and protocols for cautious recovery – especially as medical understanding of concussions and their lasting effects becomes more refined and prevalent.
Concussions occur when the brain is moved rapidly back and forth in the skull as a result of an impact to the head or a whiplash movement. They aren’t usually life-threatening, but they can damage brain tissue and lead to serious and lasting effects.
Common symptoms of concussion include:
• Drowsiness or difficulty waking
• Headache or dizziness
• One pupil is larger than the other
• Unusual behavior, confusion, restlessness, or agitation
• Vomiting, slurred speech, convulsions, or seizures
• Weakness, numbness, or worsening coordination in the arms and legs
Most people with concussions never lose consciousness, but loss of consciousness can indicate serious injury and should be taken seriously.
Concussions cannot be fully prevented, but we can reduce the risk for young athletes. Helmets and mouth guards should always be worn when they are required for a sport. Headgear should fit properly and be tested by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Student-athletes can also reduce risk by doing conditioning and strength-training exercises that strengthen neck muscles and help protect them from head injury.
If the sports leagues or school districts your children play in provide pre-injury baseline computer tests, get your kids tested. These tests check memory, problem-solving, and reaction times, and they can be used as a comparison tool if a concussion is suspected. The tool also supports trainers and care teams when determining if a young athlete is ready to return to play.
Players with concussions should be removed from play immediately and not return to play until cleared by a qualified health professional who performs a full evaluation. The brain cannot heal without rest and relaxation.
Concussion recovery typically takes about a month but can last up to six weeks.
Responsible recovery begins with no activity. As an athlete begins to recover, activity should be gradually added back to their routine. Physical activity should be increased as the doctor or trainer sees improvement while monitoring symptoms. Activity will cause symptoms to worsen if the process moves too quickly.
Young athletes should trust their bodies, rest whenever symptoms are serious, and share their conditions with their parents, coaches, and doctors.
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Dr. Alfred Casale, a cardiothoracic surgeon, is chief medical officer for surgical services for Geisinger and chair of the Geisinger Heart and Vascular Institute. Readers may write to him via ae@timesleader.com.
