Essay On Concussions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury- or TBI- caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth” (“What Is a Concussion?”) When an individual experiences a major blow to the head or body, the brain is pushed against the inside of the skull and can bruise. Although the brain has fluid and protective membranes (meninges) that cushion it, the blow to the head causes the brain to move at different speeds that cause damage to the tissues and nerves. A concussion can also shift the balance of chemicals and ions in the brain, leading to damage to nerve cells and possible loss of consciousness (Menon). Concussions mainly affect the Central Nervous System. Concussions do not discriminate- anyone can get one; however, younger people are more
…show more content…
prone to getting a concussion through athletics. Also, individuals are at a higher risk of having another concussion after their first one; subsequent concussions usually take longer for recovery and are more likely severe (“What is a Concussion?”). The length of a concussion and the amount of time that an individual is out of sports or school or work depends on the severity of the concussion. Most individuals who suffer from a concussion fully recover, but it takes lots of time and patience. However, some individuals might experience mild symptoms after recovery, like more frequent headaches (“What Is a Concussion?”).
Symptoms:
Some of the most common symptoms associated with concussions are headache, neck pain, nausea, ringing in the ears, dizziness, slowed reaction, confusion, and fatigue (Mayo Clinic Staff).
However, an individual with a concussion might only experience a few or none of these symptoms if the concussion is not as severe. Also, the symptoms might not come right away, but take some time to start, like concentration and memory problems, irritability, and sleep disruptions. For more severe concussions, some of the symptoms are seizures, trouble walking or sleeping, weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, slurred speech, and sensitivity to light or noise (Mayo Clinic Staff). If an individual experiences any of the more serious symptoms, he or she should immediately go to the doctors to ensure that he or she did not damage anything else or is not bleeding in the brain. Some symptoms might not be as prominent in one person as they are in another person, so family members and close friends must pay close attention to changes in mood or behavior to diagnose a concussion (“What Is a
Concussion?”).
Treatment
When an individual first gets a concussion, his or her doctor uses neurological exams and imaging tests to diagnose the severity of the concussion. A common neurocognitive test that doctors use to assess concussions is the ImPACT® (Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test. This test measures different capabilities of the brain, like memorization, speed, reaction time, and more. However, a baseline test must be completed before the individual gets a concussion (“Concussion Testing and Treatment”). Once the concussion is assessed, the doctor gives the patient instructions on how to arrest and what to avoid for how long. For mild concussions, the individual might be out of their normal routine just for a few days. However, with a more severe concussion, the individual might be out of school for a month and out of sports and exercise for three months. Doctors often follow a five-step process for athletes to return to activities. Once the athlete does not feel symptoms anymore, he or she may go back to school and perform their regular activities, except exercise. Then, the athlete eases his or her way from one stage to the next: light aerobic activity, moderate activity, heavy non-contact activity, practice and full contact, and competition (“What is a Concussion?”). The main treatment for concussions is rest, time, and patience. The brain must slowly heal on its own; there is nothing that doctors can do to make the brain heal faster. It is critical that the concussed individual gives his or her brain enough time to recover because a second concussion before the brain has fully healed, might lead to life-threatening brain swelling and they have a slower rate and lower chance of recovery (Menon). Doctors might also have their patients go through physical, behavioral, or visual therapy. In rare cases, the doctors must resort to neurosurgery to relieve some of the pressure from the concussion.
Current Research
Currently, there is a lot of research for concussions that occur in football, since around 300,000 concussions per year are related to football (“Concussion Testing and Treatment”). Football is such an intense and high-contact sport that athletes can easily get a concussion doing simple tasks. The NFL has recently run into some issues regarding concussions and whether or not the NFL should compensate ex-players for their brain injuries suffered from repeated concussions. Because of this increased awareness, there is a lot more research being done about the effects of concussions on the brain. There are also some clinical trials available for individuals with concussions that explore the what parts of the brain are affected and what parts recover faster, the changes that the brain undergoes after a concussion, the effect of protective headgear on athletes, and more. Most of these clinical trials use observed data instead of finding what type of drug works best to treat concussions (“What Is a Concussion?”).
Statistics
Every year, about 1.6-3.8 million sports- and recreational-related concussions are reported; football, girls’ soccer, and girls’ basketball are the top three sports with the most concussions (“Sports Concussion Statistics). About in in five athletes who participate in contact sports suffer a concussion every year, whether the concussion be mild or severe (“Concussion Testing and Treatment”). Although loss of consciousness is traditionally thought of as a requirement to have a concussion, only about 90% of concussed individuals experience a loss of consciousness (“Sports Concussion Statistics”). Individuals are more likely to have another more serious concussion after their first concussion.
prone to getting a concussion through athletics. Also, individuals are at a higher risk of having another concussion after their first one; subsequent concussions usually take longer for recovery and are more likely severe (“What is a Concussion?”). The length of a concussion and the amount of time that an individual is out of sports or school or work depends on the severity of the concussion. Most individuals who suffer from a concussion fully recover, but it takes lots of time and patience. However, some individuals might experience mild symptoms after recovery, like more frequent headaches (“What Is a Concussion?”).
Symptoms:
Some of the most common symptoms associated with concussions are headache, neck pain, nausea, ringing in the ears, dizziness, slowed reaction, confusion, and fatigue (Mayo Clinic Staff).
However, an individual with a concussion might only experience a few or none of these symptoms if the concussion is not as severe. Also, the symptoms might not come right away, but take some time to start, like concentration and memory problems, irritability, and sleep disruptions. For more severe concussions, some of the symptoms are seizures, trouble walking or sleeping, weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, slurred speech, and sensitivity to light or noise (Mayo Clinic Staff). If an individual experiences any of the more serious symptoms, he or she should immediately go to the doctors to ensure that he or she did not damage anything else or is not bleeding in the brain. Some symptoms might not be as prominent in one person as they are in another person, so family members and close friends must pay close attention to changes in mood or behavior to diagnose a concussion (“What Is a
Concussion?”).
Treatment
When an individual first gets a concussion, his or her doctor uses neurological exams and imaging tests to diagnose the severity of the concussion. A common neurocognitive test that doctors use to assess concussions is the ImPACT® (Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test. This test measures different capabilities of the brain, like memorization, speed, reaction time, and more. However, a baseline test must be completed before the individual gets a concussion (“Concussion Testing and Treatment”). Once the concussion is assessed, the doctor gives the patient instructions on how to arrest and what to avoid for how long. For mild concussions, the individual might be out of their normal routine just for a few days. However, with a more severe concussion, the individual might be out of school for a month and out of sports and exercise for three months. Doctors often follow a five-step process for athletes to return to activities. Once the athlete does not feel symptoms anymore, he or she may go back to school and perform their regular activities, except exercise. Then, the athlete eases his or her way from one stage to the next: light aerobic activity, moderate activity, heavy non-contact activity, practice and full contact, and competition (“What is a Concussion?”). The main treatment for concussions is rest, time, and patience. The brain must slowly heal on its own; there is nothing that doctors can do to make the brain heal faster. It is critical that the concussed individual gives his or her brain enough time to recover because a second concussion before the brain has fully healed, might lead to life-threatening brain swelling and they have a slower rate and lower chance of recovery (Menon). Doctors might also have their patients go through physical, behavioral, or visual therapy. In rare cases, the doctors must resort to neurosurgery to relieve some of the pressure from the concussion.
Current Research
Currently, there is a lot of research for concussions that occur in football, since around 300,000 concussions per year are related to football (“Concussion Testing and Treatment”). Football is such an intense and high-contact sport that athletes can easily get a concussion doing simple tasks. The NFL has recently run into some issues regarding concussions and whether or not the NFL should compensate ex-players for their brain injuries suffered from repeated concussions. Because of this increased awareness, there is a lot more research being done about the effects of concussions on the brain. There are also some clinical trials available for individuals with concussions that explore the what parts of the brain are affected and what parts recover faster, the changes that the brain undergoes after a concussion, the effect of protective headgear on athletes, and more. Most of these clinical trials use observed data instead of finding what type of drug works best to treat concussions (“What Is a Concussion?”).
Statistics
Every year, about 1.6-3.8 million sports- and recreational-related concussions are reported; football, girls’ soccer, and girls’ basketball are the top three sports with the most concussions (“Sports Concussion Statistics). About in in five athletes who participate in contact sports suffer a concussion every year, whether the concussion be mild or severe (“Concussion Testing and Treatment”). Although loss of consciousness is traditionally thought of as a requirement to have a concussion, only about 90% of concussed individuals experience a loss of consciousness (“Sports Concussion Statistics”). Individuals are more likely to have another more serious concussion after their first concussion.