Concussions 101: What Every Athlete Needs to Know Has anyone here had a concussion that would like to share their experience?

What is a Concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull.

Concussion Statistics & Information There DOES NOT have to be a loss of consciousness to sustain a concussion CDC estimates reveal that 1.6 million to 3.8 million concussions occur each year 5-10% of athletes will experience a concussion in any given sport season Headache (85%) and Dizziness (70-80%) are most commonly reported symptoms immediately following concussions for injured athletes These Statistics are from the center of disease control and prevention.

Symptoms of a Concussion Headache Confusion Slowed Reaction Time Sleep Problems Balance Problems or Dizziness Bothered by light or noise Feeling hazy, groggy, or foggy Memory problems

Signs of a Concussion Appears dazed or stunned Is confused about assignment or position Forgets an instruction Moves clumsily Answers questions slowly Loses consciousness (even briefly) Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall Can’t recall events after hit or fall If you suspect that someone has a concussion, pull them aside and ask them a few basic questions. I.e. Where are we? What’s the score?

RED FLAGS These concussion symptoms are all reasons to be taken to a hospital: Throwing up/Vomiting One sided weakness/numbness Sleepiness Neck Pain Loss of consciousness

“When in doubt, sit them out”

Symptom Duration Most symptoms may resolve within 2 weeks. However, in some cases symptoms may last for several weeks, or even months. Symptoms such as headache, memory problems, poor concentration, and mood changes can interfere with school, work, and social interactions. The potential for such long-term symptoms indicates the need for careful management of all concussions.

Imaging Diagnostic testing, which includes CT (“CAT”) and MRI scans, are rarely needed following a concussion. While these are helpful in identifying life-threatening brain injuries (e.g. skull fracture, bleeding, swelling), they are not normally utilized. Diagnosed based upon the athlete’s story of the injury and the health care provider’s physical examination.

Treatment REST Limit exposure to computers, bright lights, loud noises, phones Eat regular diet No physical activity until symptoms subside No medication can help speed the recovery process of a concussion

Return to Play Protocol Step 0: Be sure that all Concussion like symptoms have subsided Step 1: 20 min of Light Aerobic Activity Activities Include: Exercise bike or walking Step 2: Moderate Activity Activities Include: Moderate jogging, brief running, moderate-intensity stationary biking and light weight lifting Step 3: Heavy, non-contact activity Activities Include: Running, high-intensity stationary biking, the player’s regular weightlifting routine, and non-contact sport-specific drills. Step 4: Reintegrate into Full Contact Practice Step 5: Competition It is good practice to do each step for only 30 minutes – 1 hour per day. Each of these steps requires a 24 hour time period before moving onto the next step. This allows for proper evaluation for any symptoms that may reoccur.