Long Term Effects Of Concussions Essay

A concussion is a injury that should be taken seriously due to the parts of the body it effects. The definition of a concussion is that "it's a trauma induced alteration in mental statues that may or may not result in loss of consciousness." (Article 2) Concussions for a student athlete vary in healing time, however, I believe that the brain should be fully healed before resuming all athletic activities. The reasoning behind this perspective is due to the possibility of future damages to the athlete and more concussions following.

Concussions are prone to high school student athletes that run off adrenaline and are extremely active. Centers for Disease control, in Article 1, estimated over 300,000 sport related concussions each year. The severity of each head trauma may vary, however, not taking it seriously can further damage the brain of the athlete. "Proper management is essential to the immediate safety and long-term future of the injured person." (Article 3) When one
downgrades the seriousness of a concussion, they're risking themselves to further damage both physically and cognitively. Fear of not getting to play and participate or undermining the seriousness of the concussion is common for athletes so they may continue to play their designated sport. "A concussion can occur with or without a loss of consciousness... There is a period in which the brain is particularly vulnerable to further injury." (Article 3) To get back in the game, one should be at their full potential and stability.

Concussions have many short and long term effects that are possible to occur if not the condition is not taken seriously and recovered fully.
"Short term concussion effects (headaches, change in sleep patterns, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, depression, mood swings, memory less, loss of concentration, and slow reaction time). Long-term concussive effects (long-term memory loss, emotional distress, depression, slowing of some types of movements, and increased possibility of suicide) may last a few months to many years." (Article 3) Concussions usually take longer than 7 days for 10% of athletes, researchers state. Not only are high school athletes prone to concussions, females receive them easier than males as well. "Data states that girls suffer more from concussions than men in similar sports." (Article 4) With all possible future damage physically and cognitive, it is safer and should be ideal for a student athlete to sit out of their sport until recovered
fully.

High school student athletes are prone to receive concussions from the extra curricular activity sports they play. Athletes seem to usually downgrade the severity when getting a concussion so they can continue to play. The downside to doing this is the possibility of future damages that vary from emotional distress to nausea. While many recover at different rates and can return to their sport sooner, not recovering fully is damaging. Knowing the capability of further damage, student athletes should presume all athletic activity once they're at their full potential.