Concussions in Sports

The risks you take in sports are pretty great. But do the risks ever overwhelm the strive for glory? Concussions may not seem like a big deal to coaches and parents, but in reality they are serious injuries which may, if not handled correctly could cause permanent brain damage. If you sustain a concussion you may go in and out of consciousness for about twenty-four hours, have memory loss for the time, and may never really remember what happened. They may even need emergency medical attention. The American Family Physician states that many life long injuries will follow someone who has returned to a physical activity too soon.

The risk of complications is increased in athletes who prematurely return to play and in those with prolonged loss of consciousness or post-traumatic amnesia. An athlete with prolonged loss of consciousness or signs and symptoms that worsen or persist after a concussion should be evaluated in the emergency department. An athlete should not be allowed to resume sports participation until all symptoms of a concussion have resolved.

Athletes in any sport may succumb to a serious concussion, even if it is not considered a "contact sport". People need to understand the seriousness of what may happen if a concussion is not treated. I think if people actually understood, we wouldn't see the stories we see on the news anymore. All you need is rest until the symptoms are gone.