Athletes are risking their lives for the sport they love. Unfortunately many do not realize the negative effects concussions and other head injuries have on their brains. Individual and team sports were invented out of a love for competition. These games however with the evolution of the players becoming bigger, stronger and faster makes the sport is less like a game and more like war.
It is only now that we have begun to realize the severity of concussions and the effect they have on the lives of athletes. Players must play the game. They must not try to ruin our lives or the lives of the opponent through brain impact.
What is a concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury or TBI, caused by a sudden jolt, hit or blow to the head. Concussions can also occur from a fall, blow or impact to the body that causes the brain to move quickly back and forth. As a result, the injury changes the way your brain works. There is destruction of the nerves and bruising the brain itself.
Short term affects include: pressure inside the head and headaches, the temporary loss of consciousness, confusion, dizziness, amnesia surrounding the event, hearing loss, nausea or vomiting, slurred speech, stuttering, and fatigue. All are a direct result of brain damage.
Long term affects of concussions are more devastating. The most common long term symptom is confusion. Confusion can include disorientation and memory problems such as permanent amnesia. There are physical side effects as well. The physical side effects can include migraines, loss of balance and nausea, hearing loss and sensitivity to light and sound. One can become easily frustrated and have anger management issues. Finally, numerous concussions can cause problems sleeping, motional disorders, severe depression and suicide.
Many professional athletes are devastated from concussions. Symptoms haunt them the rest of their life.
According to the New York Times “More than 3,000 former players