Concussion injuries including concussion, post-concussion syndrome, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been hot topics in health news lately.
A large portion of the media attention that these injuries have garnered has been in relation to professional sports, namely the National Football League's Player's Association. Numerous players have come forward describing the health challenges that they face as a result of multiple concussive incidents over the course of their career.
Although very few athletes become professionals, every year thousands of families engage in youth football leagues. The Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine recently reported that the incidence of concussion diagnosis is increasing significantly in the adolescent age group (ages 10-19). While screening procedures have improved it is clear that the concussion issue is a growing concern. Athletic training and coaching personnel do a good job of screening and monitoring players for concussion injuries, but return-to-play guidelines and the prospect of losing a starting position causes many players to hide important symptoms. The old days of "getting your bell rung" and continuing to play are over. Family members of young athletes need to be aware of signs and symptoms that may indicate even a mild concussion. Keep in mind that these athletes are still developing neurologically, and "toughing it out" is NOT an option when it comes to brain health.
Here are a few things that you need to know if you have a child or family member gearing up for the gridiron this fall:
- A concussion is a disturbance in brain function caused directly or indirectly by a force to the head
- Signs and symptoms may be subtle and don't always manifest immediately. Athletes should be closely monitored for 24-48 hours after the injury
- Athletes should NOT return to play the same day of the injury if concussion is suspected - PERIOD
- Symptoms vary widely and can include: worsening headache, unsteadiness or lack of coordination, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, irritability, vomiting, unusual behavior or mood changes, drowsiness, etc.
- Recovery time will vary depending on the individual's physical, behavioral, and neurological signs and symptoms
- These injuries are not limited to football. Soccer, field hockey, rugby, lacrosse, and others also have the potential to produce these types of injuries through high speed contact
For long term recovery, preliminary research shows that aggressive intake of Omega-3 supplementation shows positive benefits. Another important point to consider is the STRUCTURAL implications of a blow strong enough to "jostle" the brain. Considering that the average human head weighs between 8-13 pounds, you can see how even a slight shift away from the center of gravity will produce significant stress to the spinal bones and ligaments of the neck. If left uncorrected these Structural Shifts that take place will eventually lead to the onset of secondary conditions.
We wish all of the athletes participating this fall a safe and enjoyable season!