Concussion

Recent new guidelines from the NFL have increased attention to concussions and the long term seriousness of head injuries. With more than a million cases of concussion each year in the United States, it is worth learning more about this potentially fatal injury.

Concussions typically result from a fall, sports injury or car accident when a blow to the head occurs. Bleeding into or around the brain can then occur, at which time a person should be watched closely for signs of possible brain damage. Symptoms of concussion range from mild to severe, and these include headache, loss of consciousness, and memory loss of events surrounding the injury. Emergency signs include: an altered level of consciousness (drowsy or hard to arouse), convulsions, muscle weakness on one or both sides, persistent confusion, unconsciousness (coma), vomiting, unequal pupils or eye movements, and walking problems. Such signs require an emergency response by calling 911.

If a blow to the head during athletics leads to a bad headache, a feeling of being confused (dazed), or unconsciousness, a trained person must determine when the person can return to playing sports. If a child or young adult has lost consciousness, that person should not play sports for a period of 3 months due to the increased rate of brain injury and occasionally death in people who have had a previous concussion with unconsciousness.

Finally, consider safety by always using the appropriate athletic gear (such as bike helmets and seat belts) to reduce the risk of head injury