a look at concussions

ConcussionsBy Brendan Jacgues and Chris Jackson

Key Points• What is a concussion?• What causes a concussion?• Who’s at risk?• What are the symptoms?• How are concussions treated?• What are the long-term effects?• How are concussions prevented?

What is a concussion?• When the brain

collides with the skull causing bruising of brain, tearing of blood vessels and injuring of nerves • Temporary loss of

normal brain function • Not life threatening

What causes a concussion?• Strong hit to the head• Fall• Car accident • Sport injury• Object

Risk Factors • High Contact Sports• Football• Ice hockey• Rugby

• Age• Gender• Previous concussion

High School Sports• 41% of concussed athletes in 100 high schools across U.S.

returned to play too soon• Neglect of American Academy of Neurology guidelines• 16% of high school football players who lost consciousness

during a concussion returned to field the same day• SIS

Symptoms • Thinking and Remembering• Unclear thinking• Feeling slowed down• Not being able to concentrate • Not being able to remember new information

Physical• Headache• Fuzzy or blurry vision• Dizziness• Sensitivity to light or noise• Balance problems• Feeling tired

Emotional and mood• Easily upset or angered • Sad• Nervous • More emotional

Sleep• Sleeping more than usual• Sleeping less than usual• Having a hard time falling asleep

Treatment

• Seek a doctors attention• Rest• No physically or mentally intensive activity• No alcohol or drugs• Avoiding loud noises and bright lights

• Pain medication and ice packs• Follow up with doctor prior to resuming full

activity

Long Term Risks• Studies still being done on the issue• Minor effects• Frequent headaches and dizziness• Difficulty sleeping

• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy• Depression• Dementia• Short term memory loss• Suicide

CTE• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uKIf1crfK4

Prevention• Avoiding dangerous situations• i.e. walking/driving on ice, not wearing a seatbelt

• Wearing helmets and mouth pieces during action sports • i.e. skateboarding, skiing, biking

NFL’s steps• League mandated testing • All players who are suspected of concussion• Done by independent physician• Prevents teams pressuring players to get back quicker

• Personal player penalties• Monetary fines• Suspensions

Summary• Concussion are the result of brain trauma• Symptoms include:• Inability to remember new information, Headache, dizziness,

sleep issues and emotional reactions• High contact sports present a greater risk• Concussions aren't curable but are helped by rest • Multiple concussions can result in CTE• Near impossible to prevent but proper safety measures can

reduce the risk

Refrences• "Concussion - WebMD: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and

Prevention." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. Nov. 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/brain/tc/traumatic-brain-injury-concussion-overview?page=3>.

• Gregory, Sean. "Study: Kids Competing Too Soon After Concussions." Time. Time, 21 Jan. 2009. Web. Nov. 2012. <http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1873131,00.html>.

• Jaslow, Ryan. "Junior Seau's Death Raises Questions about Brain Trauma, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 3 May 2012. Web. Nov. 2012. <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57427161-10391704/junior-seaus-death-raises-questions-about-brain-trauma-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/>.

• "Post-Concussion Syndrome: Symptoms, Treatments, Tests, Recovery, and More." WebMD. WebMD, 26 Jan. 2011. Web. Nov. 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/brain/post-concussion-syndrome>.

• "TeensHealth-Concussions." Concussions. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov. 2012. <http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/first_aid/concussions.html>.

Questions?