MANAGING CONCUSSIONS
What is a concussion?
A brain injury that:
• Is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body
• Can change the way your brain normally works
• Can occur during practices or games in any sport or recreational activity
• Can happen even if you haven’t been knocked out
• Can be serious even if you’ve just been “dinged”
• Can affect your ability to do schoolwork and other activities (such as playing video games, working on a computer, studying, driving, or exercising)
As many as 3.8 million sports or recreation related concussions occur in the United States each year. Most people with a concussion get better, but it is important to give your brain time to heal.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
You can’t see a concussion, but you might notice one or more symptoms listed below. You may not “feel right” soon after, a few days after, or even a few weeks after the injury.
| Signs Observed by Parents/Coaches/ATCs | Symptoms Reported by Athlete |
| Appears dazed or stunned | Headache or “pressure” in head |
| Is confused about assignment or position | Nausea or vomiting |
| Forgets an instruction | Balance problems or dizziness |
| Is unsure of game, score, or opponent | Double or blurry vision |
| Moves clumsily | Sensitivity to light or noise |
| Answers questions slowly | Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy |
| Loses consciousness (even briefly) | Concentration or memory problems |
| Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes | Confusion |
| Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall | Just not “feeling right” or is “feeling down” |
| Can’t recall events after hit or fall |
|
Second Impact Syndrome
This is a very rare condition in which a second concussion occurs before a first
concussion has properly healed, causing rapid and severe brain swelling and often catastrophic results. It can result from even a very mild concussion that occurs day or weeks after the initial concussion.
ImPACT Neurocognitive Testing
At the forefront of proper concussion management is baseline and/or post-injury neurocognitive testing. Such evaluation can help evaluate an athlete’s post-injury condition and track recovery for safe return to play, thus preventing the cumulative effects of a concussion. In fact, neurocognitive testing has recently been called the "cornerstone" of proper concussion management by an international panel of sports medicine experts.
What should I do if I think I have a concussion?
• Tell your coach, parent and athletic trainer.
Never ignore a bump or blow to the head, even if you feel fine. Tell your coach or athletic trainer right away if you think you have a concussion or if one of your teammates might have a concussion.
• Get a medical check-up.
See your athletic trainer. If he/she feels you have a concussion, he/she will send you to see a doctor or other health care professional.
• Give yourself time to get better. If you have a concussion, your brain needs time to heal. While your brain is still healing, you are much more likely to have another concussion. Repeat concussions can increase the time it takes for you to recover and may cause more
damage to your brain. It is important to rest and not return to play until you get the OK from your health care professional that you are symptom-free. It is New York State protocol that once you are symptom free after suffering a concussion, you then need
to go through a gradual return-to-play protocol.
Graduated Return-to-Play Protocol
In order to return to play, the athlete must be cleared by his/her doctor, be symptom free, and complete the following steps:
1. No activity; rest until symptoms go away
2. Light aerobic exercise
3. Sport-specific training
4. Non-contact drills
5. Full-contact drills
6. Game play
If the athlete experiences symptoms at any step, he/she will need to repeat that step the next day if they are symptom free.
How can I prevent a concussion?
Every sport is different, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself:
• Use the proper equipment, including personal protective equipment. In order for equipment to protect you, it must be:
o The right equipment for the game, position, or activity
o Worn correctly and in the correct size and fit
o Used every time you play or practice
• Use proper tackling techniques (i.e., don’t hit with your head)
• Follow your coach’s rules for safety and the rules of the sport
• Practice good sportsmanship at all times
It is important to:
• Properly educate coaches, parents, and students about the danger of concussions
• Remove an athlete with a suspected concussion from play immediately
• Avoid returning too soon, as there is a greater risk of second impact syndrome
• Utilize neurological testing, such as ImPACT, if available
• Establish protocol for how your school will deal with concussions
• Follow state and/or schools’ return-to-play guidelines
IT’S BETTER TO MISS ONE GAME THAN THE WHOLE SEASON!
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