The Dangers of Concussions in Sports

Concussion, the 2015 movie starring Will Smith, showcased the long term effects of multiple concussions suffered by athletes in high impact sports, tying Boxing and Football together. This movie appeared on the silver screen six years after the governor of Washington State signed the first law requiring high school athletes to be removed from play and not to be allowed to return until cleared by a medical profession.

The mounting public awareness of the effects of concussions means we now have many resources online for preventing, diagnosing, and treating concussions.

A concussion is defined as a brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head and body. Whether a person experiences one concussion or many, it is generally agreed that the fewer, the better.

Avoid concussions!

Making practical decisions to wear a seatbelt while driving, a helmet while in an open air vehicle (bike, motor cycle, quad, etc.), and to use proper and well maintained equipment is a first step to protecting our heads. We can avoid concussions by being present, well rested, and better able to react to our environment.

Diagnose a concussion

What if, in spite of taking precautions, you took a blow to the head? Don’t just “walk it off.” Let your friends and family know and watch for symptoms like headache, memory impairment, confusing, fatigue, sensitivity to sound and/or light, blurred vision, dizziness, or any other atypical sensation. If you have symptoms, consult a professional.

Treat a concussion

Soon after a blow, seek professional help to take the correct steps that will minimize brain injury and improve healing. Long after the brain has healed, there may be secondary injuries to the skeletal system. The head is like a ball on the end of a spinal chain. If the head has been violently shaken, it stands to reason that the spine has also taken some impact. For this reason, follow up with a spinal specialist like a chiropractor. Left untreated, a spinal injury can lead to long-term discomfort and disease.

Support decision makers

Here in America, we are taking concussions more seriously than in the past, but our cultural heritage encourages being tough and ignoring injuries. We need to be mindful of this and support coaches, parents, managers, employees, and anyone else who says they think there has been a concussion. When the stakes are high, stand strong for an individual who may be injured. Call 911 if in doubt. Here’s to a future of fewer concussions!