Essay On Concussions

Concussions have forever changed sports, and continue to this day. Nationally there are 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions every year, and the chances of receiving a second concussion are twice as likely to occur. A concussion is a complex mental process that affects the brain, typically induced by trauma to the brain. Concussions happen when the brain moves rapidly inside the head after receiving a bump or blow to the head. Research continues on prevention, but nothing good has come of it so far.
I don’t know that you can prevent concussions because if you could someone already figured out a way to do so. All coaches in the United States stress over and over for proper technique, but when you are in the heat of the moment all that technique can
sometimes just go out the window, and most of the time that is when concussions can happen. The most common way to prevent a concussion is to keep your head up when making a tackle. All across the US, coaches, parents, and doctors think a change is needed like more technique and possibly making age requirements to prevent early brain injuries or concussions at a young age. According to Neurosurgeon Dr. Mayumi L. Prins says “The science that could guide prevention efforts, and better care of concussions has a long way to go.”
A concussion is a brain injury.
Concussions are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. A concussion can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Not only will concussions affect you in the short term, and it also will in the long term as well, and that is why some NFL players are deciding to step away from the game so early in their careers, like Chris Borland. Chris Borland was one of the best young linebackers in the game for his rookie season, and then he decided to step away from the game he loves . "I just honestly want to do what's best for my health," Borland told "Outside the Lines." "From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the
risk.”
According to the Mayo Clinic there's no specific cure for concussion. Rest and restricting activities allow the brain to recover. This means one should temporarily reduce sports, video games, TV, or too much socializing. Medications for headache pain, or other anti-nausea medications can be used for symptoms. I myself have had two concussions and the best thing to do is avoid light and sound because it can be very excruciating. This also brings up that point that I made in the first paragraph that there should be a age limit in youth sports to reduce brain injuries among young athletes.
There is still nothing that can cure concussions, but there have been some new advancements in prevention.
Coaches and doctors have teamed up to design a helmet that can reduce shock to the brain, and if a big hit to the head occurs the helmet has a sensor on the back of it and the sensor will go off. The NFL has also created a new rule that all 32 teams must have a doctor in the press box, and if the doctor sees a big hit on the field, he can buzz down the field to doctors, coaches, or referees to take that player out of the game, and after they are taken out of the game. These are just some of the continuing efforts on
prevention. As you can see, concussions are a very serious matter and effort to prevent them continues to happen each and every day. This was very eye opening, but I had a lot of knowledge on the topic after receiving two concussions myself. I can say I have to agree with doctors and coaches about setting an age limit because if too many concussions occur early in a kids young life and affect them the rest rest of their lives. If doctors can come up with a prevention, it would make me feel so much safer competing in sports.