A concussion induces trauma to the brain and can be caused
by someone hitting his or her head or an indirect blow to the body. It can also
happen if the head experiences a sudden force without being hit. 1.6-3.8
million concussions result from sport injuries in the US every year. While most
concussions result in full recovery, some can lead to more severe injuries.
Symptoms generally include headaches, nausea, memory
difficulty, changes in appetite or energy levels, vomiting, disorientation, and
sleep disturbances. Athletes may complain about blurry vision, confusion,
feeling hazy, or just not feeling ‘right’. Concussions are serious brain
injuries and are becoming more common in the sports world, which is a scary
thought.
Concussions can occur in many sports, but they commonly
occur in high-speed contact sports. Football, hockey, and soccer are a few of
the higher risk sports while baseball is a lower risk.
If an athlete has a concussion, they must go through various
tests to assess the cognitive and neurobehavioral functions of the brain before
playing again. The player has to have a comprehensive interview and doctors
must assess patient symptoms as well.
Research shows that if an athlete has had one concussion, they are 1-2x
more likely to receive a second concussion. The symptoms need to clear up
before hitting the practice field again. Evidence also shows that younger
athletes take longer to recover than older athletes.
Researchers are actively studying the long-term effect of
concussions today. Multiple incidents can lead to the development of mild
cognitive impairments, post-concussion syndrome, and many unknown adverse
outcomes. In the NFL, a study was conducted on over 3,000 retired players with
5 or more seasons played. These athletes were 4x more likely than men their age
to die from Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or suffer from brain injuries in
general.