Three Things You Should Know About Concussions

Concussions have become a hot topic of discussion with the recent head traumas seen throughout the NFL in the 2011 season. It is estimated that approximately 400,000 concussions related to sports are reported on the high school level each year. These concussions are reported in four female sports and five mail sports. It is believed, however, that this figure should be much higher. Concussions can significantly impact the athlete, especially the child and teen athlete. There are three facts that every child and teen athlete need to know to help protect themselves.

Helmets are Not Foolproof

Helmets are extremely important because they lessen a blow's impact and help to prevent skull fractures. However, people have sustained concussions when wearing a helmet because they do not prevent the brain from sliding and hitting the skull. Because of this, athletes and their coaches need to educate about how to tackle so that it lessens the chance of injuring the other athlete.

Physical Rest is Not Enough to Recover

Child and teen athletes certainly need physical rest after sustaining a concussion, but this is just not enough. This is even true for professional athletes. Concussions can take a long time to recover from, even months in some cases. Just look at Cleveland Browns' quarterback Colt McCoy. When recovering, athletes should refrain from all risky activities to prevent the chance of a second concussion occurring when they are still recovering from the first. Also, athletes need to rest mentally. If the athlete is having difficulty doing mental activities, such as reading or concentrating, more mental rest is necessary. This is a brain injury, so both physical and mental rest are equally important in leading to a total recovery.

Not all Concussions Cause Unconsciousness

It is a common misconception that all concussions cause the person to pass out. However, about 90 percent of the time, the person does maintain consciousness. This is why it is so critical for all head injuries to be evaluated by a medical doctor immediately after sustaining the injury. Athletes should also follow the motto: when in doubt, sit it out. It is always better to be on the safe side when it comes to concussions and head injuries.

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