Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Concussion Epidemic

The Concussion Epidemic
Head impacts and concussions caused by contact sports are a quickly growing epidemic among young athletes. When an athlete comes off of the field vomiting and not knowing where he or she is, that is not a good thing. Some people, however, believe it is okay to send these players back on the field. But, playing in that one game might ruin the rest of your career.
People don’t understand or comprehend the intensity of a concussion; the long term effects could be devastating. Although concussions are relatively common, they should not be taken lightly. Any athlete who has symptoms or a possible concussion should immediately take precaution. Unless that athlete is cleared by a medical doctor, they shouldn’t participate in their particular sport until eligible by receiving clearance by a medical doctor.
What exactly is a concussion?
Concussions are one of the most common injuries in sports. Thousands of High School athletes suffer from concussions each year; most commonly found in soccer, football, and hockey. Concussions are a traumatic brain injury caused from a blow to the head, or body.  
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What happens after a concussion?
            Sports related concussions result in mental and physical symptoms including; forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, dizziness, headache, and fatigue. Sensitivity to light, sleeping more than usual, or even having a hard time falling asleep are also symptoms. Symptoms can last days, weeks, or even months. Symptoms may also include changes in attitude, and behavior.
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Simple Statistics
There are between an estimated 1.6 and 3.8 million sports-related concussions in the United States every year.

High school athletes sustain an estimated 136,000 to 300,000 concussions per year.

Read more: http://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/concussion-rates-high-school-sports#ixzz3EHKcVLi7

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