A concussion occurs when the brain moves rapidly within the skull, disrupting normal brain function. This type of traumatic brain injury affects millions of Americans annually and requires proper recognition and treatment. Athletes face unique risks due to the physical demands of their sports, and learning more about concussions helps them make informed decisions about sports participation and recovery.
What Are Concussions?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body that results in rapid movement of the brain within the skull. This movement can cause chemical changes in the brain and damage brain cells. The injury temporarily disrupts normal brain function, affecting cognitive processes, balance, and coordination.
Concussions do not always involve loss of consciousness. Athletes may experience concussions while remaining fully awake and alert. The brain’s soft tissue can be injured even when the skull remains intact, making this condition potentially challenging to identify during play.
What Causes Them?
Direct impacts to the head are the most apparent cause of concussions in sports. These can occur from collisions with other players, contact with equipment, or falls to the ground. The force transfers through the skull to the brain tissue, causing the injury.
Indirect forces can also cause concussions without direct head contact. A sudden stop or change in direction can cause the brain to move rapidly within the skull. Body tackles in football or checking in hockey have the potential to generate sufficient force to cause a concussion even when the head is not directly struck. When the head rotates quickly, different parts of the brain move at different speeds, creating shearing forces that can damage brain tissue and connections between nerve cells.
What Are the Symptoms?
Physical symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and balance problems. Athletes may experience sensitivity to light or noise following a concussion. Fatigue and sleep disturbances are common and can persist for days or weeks after the initial injury.
Cognitive symptoms affect thinking and memory functions. Athletes may experience difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or feeling mentally foggy. These symptoms may interfere with academic performance and daily activities beyond sports participation.
How Is a Concussion Treated?
Relative rest forms the foundation of concussion treatment. This involves limiting both physical and cognitive activities that worsen symptoms. Athletes should avoid sports participation and reduce activities like reading, computer use, and video games that can aggravate symptoms.
Vision and vestibular therapy address specific symptoms related to balance and visual processing. These specialized treatments help retrain the brain’s visual and balance systems. Therapists use specific exercises to improve eye movement, depth perception, and spatial awareness that may be affected by a concussion.
Headache management requires a careful approach to medication use. Pain relievers may be used under medical supervision, as some medications can mask symptoms or interfere with recovery. Healthcare providers develop individualized plans for managing persistent headaches.
What Risks Do Contact Sports Have?
Contact sports carry higher rates of concussion due to the nature of player interactions. Football, hockey, soccer, and basketball may have elevated concussion rates compared to non-contact sports. The frequency and intensity of body contact create multiple opportunities for head injuries during competition and practice. Long-term consequences may develop from repeated head trauma, making prompt medical attention valuable.
Consult a Specialist Today
Concussion management requires specialized medical attention from healthcare providers experienced in sports medicine and brain injuries. Athletes experiencing head injury symptoms should seek evaluation rather than attempting to self-diagnose or continue playing through symptoms. A professional assessment provides an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.
