concussions: FACT VS. FICTION “Concussions aren’t a big deal.” Wrong. Just because the injury isn’t visible like a broken arm or bruised knee, doesn’t mean it isn’t serious. Concussions are very real injuries that must be treated properly by trained professionals. Thanks to research and scientific improvements, we know much more about concussions than ever before. Parents should avoid minimizing the seriousness of concussions based on their own experience. Because the full onset of symptoms may not be apparent until sometime after the injury, it’s important that players who experience any concussion-like symptoms be monitored for further development.
“Once your head is clear, it’s safe to go back into the game.”
“Even small collisions or impacts can result in concussions.”
Nope. Symptoms and effects from concussions generally appear over time, and do not heal overnight. If a concussion is suspected, the athlete should be referred to a qualified professional and kept from activity until he or she has fully recovered. A generation ago it might have been called “seeing stars,” or having “your bell rung” but we now know that any dysfunction in normal brain function is quite serious and counts as a concussion. Players should never return to play immediately after these kinds of symptoms—regardless of their parents’ own experiences as children.
Absolutely. Just as every “big hit” doesn’t produce a concussion, even a hit that seems minor can cause a concussion. Everyone’s threshold for injury is different, thus every concussion is different. That’s why every aspect of the treatment should be tailored to the specific athlete and injury. Athletes must always be given the necessary time to rest and recover, both physically and cognitively. In some cases, that may even mean time away from school to allow the brain to fully heal. The most important factor should always be the child’s health and individual recovery needs. Continue reading
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