Concussion 101
Concussion 101
As fall sports get into full swing, the one injury that everyone needs to be aware of is a concussion. Athletic trainers, athletes, coaches, parents, and administrators should all be educated on concussion facts, signs and symptoms, and return to play qualifications in order
to help streamline the treatment and recovery of these complex injuries.
What is a Concussion? Concussions are defined by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) as “trauma-induced alteration in mental status that may or may not involve loss of consciousness”. This trauma can be from a direct blow to the head, via a ball, the ground, or another athlete. This trauma can also be from an indirect blow to the body, causing a residual jarring of the brain against the inside of the skull. Concussions occur among both female and male athletes of all sports and ages, but are most common in contact sports and collision activities.
It is important to know the proper terminology when referring to a concussion. Colloquial terms such as “getting your bell rung”, “ding”, and “bell ringer” should not be used as they diminish the severity of the injury, making it sound as though it shouldn’t be taken seriously or should just be shrugged off.
What Happens If An Athlete Gets Hit in the Head? If an athlete has experienced a trauma-inducing hit, they may report a range of symptoms including: ● Headache ● Dizziness ● Blurry vision ● Nausea ● Vomiting ● Neck pain ● Pressure in head ● Balance problems ● Sensitivity to light ● Sensitivity to noise ● Feeling in a fog or a daze ● Drowsiness ● Difficulty concentrating ● Difficulty remembering ● Fatigue ● Feeling slowed down ● Feeling more emotional than usual ● Irritability
● Sadness ● Nervous/anxious
Athletes should immediately report their symptoms to their athletic trainer. If the athletic trainer is not available, they should report to a coach or parent, who will ultimately lead them to the athletic trainer. It is also important to know that concussion symptoms may change and develop over time. Athletes may report an onset of symptoms later in the day or that night that they may not have experienced at the time of injury.
Any athlete suspected of having a concussion with be immediately removed from activity and evaluated by the athletic trainer. Athletic trainers are extremely qualified and trained in diagnosing and treating concussions. They are integral in the return to play process and work directly with physicians in order to provide care throughout the initial injury and recovery process. Athletic trainers will diagnose concussions based on clinical evaluations and other tools, such as balance tests, memory recall tests, concentration tests, and cognitive evaluation.
An Athlete Is Diagnosed With a Concussion. Now What? Once an athlete has been diagnosed with a concussion, their parents and coaches will be notified by the athletic trainer. School administration will be notified as well in order to make the proper academic accommodations to help facilitate a smooth recovery. The next step is to make an appointment with the athlete’s primary care physician. Before an athlete is cleared to play, the state of Colorado mandates that an athlete be seen by a doctor.
That athlete must bring a doctor’s note from the appointment to the athletic trainer. Since athletic trainers work in conjunction with the athlete’s doctor, it is very important the athletic trainer receives a doctor’s note before the return to play process can begin.
Concussion Recovery The best way to recover from a concussion is to physically and mentally rest. Do not participate in physical activity (including practice, games, gym class, horsing around, etc), and limit exposure to computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, and eat regular healthy meals.
Each concussion and recovery timeline is different for everyone, so it is extremely hard to predict when an athlete will be feeling better or when they will be cleared. Recent studies have shown that the majority of adults diagnosed with a concussion will recover in about 10-14 days, with adolescents possibly experiencing a longer recovery time.
Concussions require day-to-day monitoring of symptoms. Each day, an athlete diagnosed with a concussion should check in with their athletic trainer to report any symptoms. Once an athlete is symptom-free (reports having no symptoms), the athletic trainer will start them on a return-to-play protocol. This consists of a 5-day ramp up back into full-contact practice that will be supervised by the athletic trainer every step of the way.
What’s the Big Deal About Concussions? Concussions are so important to report to athletic trainers, coaches, and parents because if they go untreated, and a second blow to the head occurs, it could cause diffuse cerebral swelling, brain herniation, and possibly even death. This is called Second Impact Syndrome (SIS). While this is a rare occurrence, it has happened to high-school and college athletes in the past. This is one of the many reasons each school is equipped with an athletic trainer ready to help you through a concussion injury, diagnosis, and recovery in order to prevent SIS and further injury in athletes.
Concussions are a serious matter and should be reported as soon as symptoms occur. If there is any question in the athlete’s mind as to whether they have a concussion or not, they should refer to the motto: When in doubt, Get checked out!