Sports Concussion

Brain Injury in Sports

According to research by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 200,000 people in the United States sustain concussions while playing sports each year. Concussions occur in a wide range of sports and affect all athletes, from professional players to little leaguers.

Concussions are minor traumatic brain injuries, and sports concussion has developed into a significant problem. It’s recently made headlines with data about the effects of going back to play too quickly, as well as research findings into the long-term effects of the injury.

Recognizing concussion and providing appropriate treatment is particularly important for younger athletes since it typically takes them longer than older people to fully recover.

In addition, coaches, parents, and school administrators in the central Missouri area should know that concussion causes a wide range of symptoms and can interfere not only with sports participation, but with school and social relationships. Most athletes will fully recover from concussion, and understanding the varied symptoms can help with the process of healing.

Description

In spite of numerous attempts by experts, there’s no clear definition of concussion. It is uncertain whether any injury to the brain takes place from a concussion. Imaging exams, including computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, typically don’t detect any brain damage — such as bruising or bleeding — in concussion patients.

A concussion does, however, briefly impair how the brain functions and processes information. For instance, following a concussion, a patient may have difficulty with balance and coordination, memory, and speech.

A concussion is typically short-lived. The majority of people recover within 7 to 10 days. Regrettably, once a player has sustained a concussion, he or she is at greater risk for further concussions. Repeat concussions can have long-term consequences, so prevention is very important.

Cause

Derived from the Latin word concusses, concussion means to shake violently. A concussion takes place when a force causes the brain to rapidly move back and forth within the skull. This may be due to either a direct blow or by a blow to the body that forces the head to quickly rotate.

Although some sports have increased instances of concussion — including football, ice hockey, and soccer — concussions can happen in any sport or recreational task.

Symptoms

As a result of the potential lasting effects of sports concussion, it is important that athletes, coaches, and parents in Mexico, Columbia, Jefferson City, Moberly, and everywhere else in mid-Missouri know as much as possible about how to recognize them.

Symptoms are not always evident. Although it’s generally presumed that concussions cause loss of consciousness, many people with concussions have not been “knocked out.”

Concussion creates a wide variety of symptoms. These may appear straight away, or may be delayed for a couple of days following the injury. Some symptoms are physical, such as drowsiness. Others are cognitive, such as memory loss. In many cases, people with concussions are more emotional than normal.

The most common symptoms of concussion include:

• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory issues
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Balance issues, dizziness
• Problems speaking and communicating
• Depression
• Nausea and vomiting
• Variations in sleep patterns

Doctor Examination

Throughout the evaluation, your physician will make inquiries about the injury and how it occurred. He or she may ask how severe the force was and whether you lost consciousness or had memory loss following the blow. It’s particularly important that you tell your doctor about any previous concussions you’ve had.

Your physician will probably perform a neurological examination, which checks for balance, coordination, vision, hearing, and reflexes.

Imaging Tests

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans supply doctors like Dr. Weaver with comprehensive images of the skull and brain. As stated above, results from MRI scans and CT scans are most often normal in concussion patients, so these tests aren’t usually helpful in diagnosing the injury.

If the neurological examination indicates problems, like issues with your vision, your doctor will order imaging scans. Also, if your symptoms worsen with time, CT and MRI scans are important for guiding treatment.

Neuropsychological Assessment

Neuropsychological testing helps to appraise the effects of concussion on mental capabilities. This kind of assessment is possible using computerized tests, or during a session with a neuropsychologist.

The assessment provides valuable information on a variety of mental functions, like short-term and long-term memory, attention and concentration, problem-solving, and speech.

Balance Assessment

Many athletes are unsteady on their feet for a few days following a concussion. Balance testing is a way for doctors to assess how well the part of the brain that controls movement is functioning.

There are numerous balance tests your physician might utilize, and more sophisticated force plate technology. Force plates are instruments that measure the forces of stepping, running, jumping and other actions. They are typically rectangular and can be used in a stand-alone device, or placed in machines that resemble exercise equipment, like treadmills or stair steppers.