Problems with concussions in high school athletes

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a blow, jolt or penetration to the head that disrupts the function of the brain. Most TBIs are caused by falls, jumps, motor vehicle traffic crashes, being struck by a person or a blunt object, and assault. Student athletes may be put at risk in school sports, creating concern about concussions and brain injury. A concussion can be caused by

The result of a concussion is neurological impairment that may resolve spontaneously, but may also have long-term consequences.

Many teens engage in extracurricular activities including sports that can pose risk of injury. Some sports that create a more significant risk of a head injury or concussion include basketball, cheerleading, soccer, and football. High school football accounts for a significant percentage of head injuries that result from high school sports.

Prevention efforts in high school athletics may include:

Coaches, parents and students should educate themselves about concussions, including knowing the signs of a concussion, and being prepared to respond appropriately to incidents of head trauma and concussion.

Schools should implement formal concussion plans that include elements of education, prevention, recognition, evaluation and management, so as to not only reduce the chance of concussion, but to ensure that concussions are promptly diagnosed and that concussed student athletes receive proper medical care and are not endangered by a premature return to sports. School concussion plans should also have a formal system for tracking compliance, and for identifying and responding to any deviations from the plan's standards.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists of possible signs of concussion that may appear in a student athlete after a jolt to the head or body, including:

An injured student may report any of these signs as well as sensitivity to light or sound, double vision, a headache, or other abnormal feelings. A student who has been diagnosed with a concussion may become frustrated, impatient, and angry about the situation.

A concussed player should receive proper medical treatment, and should be excluded from practices and games until cleared to play by a qualified medical professional.

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Wikipedia