3.9 million — that’s the estimated number of sports and recreational-related concussions every year in the United States, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The problem, though, is that you can’t see a concussion.
Briefly, a concussion is an injury that changes how the cells in the brain normally function and is caused by a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. The CDC reports that football and hockey have the highest number of concussions, followed by soccer, wrestling, basketball, field hockey, baseball, softball and volleyball.
It’s estimated that U.S. high school athletes sustain 300,000 concussion per year; 67,000 from interscholastic football. The risk of concussions is highest in the 15- to 19-year-old age group among all age groups nationally – and this is the group that is usually playing sports year-round.
According to the CDC, parents, coaches and staff should look for the follow symptoms after a forceful blow to a student-athlete’s head or body that results in rapid movement of the head:
Athlete appears dazed or stunned
Confusion about assignments or position
Moves clumsily
Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
Behavioral changes
Slurred speech
Can’t recall events prior to or after the fall or hit.
And student-athletes might self-report the following symptoms:
Headache or “pressure” in the head
Nausea or vomiting
Balance or dizziness problems
Double or blurry vision
Sensitivity to light or sound
Feeling sluggish
Concentration or memory problems.
Concussion Awareness Resources for parents and coaches:
CDC Heads Up Program: www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports ;
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association: www.wiaa.com — “concussion management guidelines”;
Seattle Sports Concussion Program: www.uwmedicine.org — concussion education and examinations;
USA Football: www.usafootball.com.
