With school being back in session for students of all ages, fall sports are in full swing. Sport-related concussions will be on the rise over the next couple of months. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (or TBI). Concussions are typically caused by a direct blow to the head or neck. There are over 300,000 sports-related concussions in the United States each year with female athletes being more prone to suffer from a concussion. Symptoms normally appear within minutes of the incident, but some symptoms may take hours, or longer.
Symptoms Include:
- Balance difficulties
- Nausea/vomiting
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty remembering
- Behavioral changes
- Blurred or double vision
- Slurred speech
- Excessive drowsiness
If You Suspect a Concussion:
- Do not allow the athlete to return to play.
- Avoid pain relievers, they can increase the risk of a brain bleed.
- Do not leave an athlete alone that may have a concussion.
- The athlete needs to rest until no further symptoms exist.
Participation in athletics plays a big role in social development, and responsibility in students, but safety always needs to be priority.
