Tips to avoid concussions

Thursday, September 8, 2011

With school athletics in full swing, parents and coaches need to be cautious of traumatic brain injuries.

Even before students returned to school, athletes already had returned to the field to begin their preparation for the upcoming season. Athletes involved in sports such as football, hockey and boxing are at significant risk of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, due to the high level of contact inherent in these sports.

Fast Facts about Concussions from Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
·         A concussion is a brain injury and all are serious.
·         Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
·         Recognition and proper response to concussions when they first occur can help prevent further injury or even death.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way the brain normally functions. Concussions also can occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. Experts say that the effects to the brain from a concussion can be equated to the force felt when crashing a car into a concrete wall at 40 mph.

According to CDC, Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity. So, all coaches, parents, and athletes need to learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs.

“Concussions are a serious injury and it’s important to know how to recognize a concussion,” Dr. Patrick Kelly, orthopedic surgeon at OSU Medical Center, said. “They are especially worrisome for parents as the brain of a child under the age of 18 is not fully developed.”

How to Recognize a Possible Concussion
To help recognize a concussion, watch for the following two things among athletes:
·   A forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that results in rapid movement of the head.
AND
·   Any change in the athlete’s behavior, thinking, or physical functioning.

Athletes who experience any of the signs and symptoms listed below after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body should be kept out of play the day of the injury.

“The athlete needs to be seen by a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion,” Dr. Kelly said. “That professional needs to evaluate the athlete before he or she can return to play.” Dr. Kelly also suggests using a high-quality helmet and/or head protection.

It’s important to know that a concussion cannot be seen and some athletes may not experience and/or report symptoms until hours or days after the injury. Most people with a concussion will recover quickly and fully. But for some people, signs and symptoms of concussion can last for days, weeks, or longer.

Signs Observed by Coaching Staff
Symptoms Reported by Athlete
·         Appears dazed or stunned
·         Is confused about assignment or position
·         Forgets an instruction
·         Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
·         Moves clumsily
·         Answers questions slowly
·         Loses consciousness (even briefly)
·         Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes
·         Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall
·         Can’t recall events after hit or fall
·         Headache or “pressure” in head
·         Nausea or vomiting
·         Balance problems or dizziness
·         Double or blurry vision
·         Sensitivity to light
·         Sensitivity to noise
·         Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
·         Concentration or memory problems
·         Confusion
·         Does not “feel right” or is “feeling down”

According to CDC, each year, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually. Of them:

·         52,000 die,
·         275,000 are hospitalized, and
·         1.365 million, nearly 80%, are treated and released from an emergency department.

TBI is a contributing factor to a third (30.5%) of all injury-related deaths in the United States.

About 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild TBI.

For more information about concussions or to visit with Dr. Patrick Kelly, call Lori or Charlotte.