The Effects of a Concussion
Athletes are prone to concussions due to the nature of the games. Soccer athletes usually receive head to head concussions while basketball and diving athletes usually collide with the ground when they fall. However football athletes are known to get the most concussions. Even though they are required to wear helmets when they are on the field they are not foolproof and most come with a risk label. The NFL has made new rules in 2011 that determine whether a player that has received a concussion will be allowed to continue playing or whether they will be benched.
The symptoms of a concussion range from mild to severe. They can include physical symptoms like headaches, dizziness, balance problems and nausea/vomiting. Other symptoms can include but is not limited to cognitive problems like behavioral issues, fogginess, memory loss, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some experience sleep disturbances which include changed sleeping patterns for example sleeping more or less than they usually do.
To determine how severe a concussion is tests are taken from each player before they play on the field. After an injury occurs the tests are retaken and the results compared. In the past they have used MRI or CT Scans to determine how bad a concussion is but since it usually doesn't leave any physical evidence on the brain it is often unreliable.
Depending on the results they player is either allowed to go back to the game of treatment is required. Treatments depend on the severity of the trauma. Some athletes only require cognitive and physical rest especially the first 48 hours. Cognitive rest includes refraining from video, texting, studying for school or anything that would make the brain work. To go back to the field too quickly can lead to second impact syndrome or a condition that the brain swells up very quickly and is usually fatal pretty quickly. According to research if treatment guidelines are followed most people recover quickly with 40% by the first week and 90% by the fourth week.
Athletes need to be reminded again and again that they need to be honest with their symptoms or the long term effects can be severe. According to research young high school athletes that have suffered two or more concussions develop post- concussion syndrome that include headaches, memory problems, mental fogginess, sleep issues and more. Schools should officially have doctors and athlete trainers on board however due to the cost involved some of them don't. Multiple concussions can lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE a condition that affects behavioral patterns of the victim. It can also lead to suicide. There are cases of retired NFL players that have suffered from the disease with its devastating effects.
In order to prevent concussions rules and guidelines should always be followed. In addition protective gear including helmets should be worn at all times while on the field. In the meantime more and more research is being done on the causes and what can be enforced to prevent any further injuries.
The symptoms of a concussion range from mild to severe. They can include physical symptoms like headaches, dizziness, balance problems and nausea/vomiting. Other symptoms can include but is not limited to cognitive problems like behavioral issues, fogginess, memory loss, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some experience sleep disturbances which include changed sleeping patterns for example sleeping more or less than they usually do.
To determine how severe a concussion is tests are taken from each player before they play on the field. After an injury occurs the tests are retaken and the results compared. In the past they have used MRI or CT Scans to determine how bad a concussion is but since it usually doesn't leave any physical evidence on the brain it is often unreliable.
Depending on the results they player is either allowed to go back to the game of treatment is required. Treatments depend on the severity of the trauma. Some athletes only require cognitive and physical rest especially the first 48 hours. Cognitive rest includes refraining from video, texting, studying for school or anything that would make the brain work. To go back to the field too quickly can lead to second impact syndrome or a condition that the brain swells up very quickly and is usually fatal pretty quickly. According to research if treatment guidelines are followed most people recover quickly with 40% by the first week and 90% by the fourth week.
Athletes need to be reminded again and again that they need to be honest with their symptoms or the long term effects can be severe. According to research young high school athletes that have suffered two or more concussions develop post- concussion syndrome that include headaches, memory problems, mental fogginess, sleep issues and more. Schools should officially have doctors and athlete trainers on board however due to the cost involved some of them don't. Multiple concussions can lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE a condition that affects behavioral patterns of the victim. It can also lead to suicide. There are cases of retired NFL players that have suffered from the disease with its devastating effects.
In order to prevent concussions rules and guidelines should always be followed. In addition protective gear including helmets should be worn at all times while on the field. In the meantime more and more research is being done on the causes and what can be enforced to prevent any further injuries.
