This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Sports Wellness: Helping Athletes Recover after a Concussion

By Thomas J. Lardner, M.D., Medical Director of Somerset Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Services and fellowship-trained sports medicine physician

One of the most common injuries that athletes sustain in contact sports is concussions, with a staggering estimate of 1.6 to 3.8 million sports-related concussions in the U.S. each year. According to the CDC, a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that shakes the brain inside the skull, and changes the way the brain normally functions. Concussions are caused by a sudden deceleration of the head, such as in a fall or collision.

There are immediate symptoms of a concussion, such as headache, disorientation or lightheadedness, even loss of consciousness.  However, there are also subtle, late-appearing symptoms that may go unreported. These symptoms can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months.  Continuing to play with a concussion puts an athlete at serious risk of significant brain injury, and even death.  If a concussion is left untreated, symptoms may persist longer than usual, or worsen, affecting that person’s activities of daily living. The potential for permanent brain injury, in those who sustain multiple concussions, is also a serious concern.

With pre-season training upon us, it is important to understand the facts about concussions and the proper steps to take in treating head injuries, to recognize if you, or someone you know, has sustained a concussion. Staying educated will help reduce the risk of long-term health effects and the chances of a serious brain injury. Contact a doctor if any symptoms fall into the following four categories:

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Memory loss and cognitive slowing – Not being able to remember what happened prior to the incident or unable to communicate clearly after, are very apparent symptoms of a concussion. A concussion can make it difficult to recall old information or remember new information. Concentration and the ability to think fast are also clouded by the feeling of confusion.
  • Extremes of emotion – Very extreme mood swings are symptoms of discomfort for any individual. Excessive irritability, sadness, and anxiety are caused by the uneasy feeling someone could have from a concussion.
  • Neurological symptoms – Headaches, visual changes, nausea, dizziness or loss of balance, sensitivity to light and/or noise are some of the more common symptoms of a concussion.
  • Irregular sleep patterns– Concussions can affect a person’s sleep pattern.  Difficulty with falling asleep, or sleeping excessively, can be suggestive of a concussion.

Mild concussions can fully recover with the proper amount of cognitive and physical rest.  Even the mildest of symptoms should be reported to parents, coaches, and trainers, and evaluated by a physician.  Be sure to carefully follow any instructions your doctor recommends and try these tips to feel better and enjoy a healthy life and athletic career:

  • Rest – The most important thing to do after a concussion is to rest. Healing requires time and the proper amount of sleep is imperative to feeling better.
  • Avoid physically demanding activities – Any physical activities, such as sports or heavy housecleaning, can make your current symptoms worse and slow down the recovery process. Your doctor will give permission when it is acceptable to return to normal activities.
  • Do things one at a time – During the recovery process, it still may be hard to remember or concentrate. Write down things that may be harder to remember and if you’re easily distracted, don’t try to multitask.

The best way to deal with a concussion is to treat it early, and avoid a re-injury shortly thereafter.  Proper equipment – particularly proper FITTING equipment – can help protect the head and neck, but does not guarantee the prevention of a concussion.  In the event of a concussion, mild or severe, always consult a doctor. Any concussion should be documented as part of the patient’s medical record, and the athlete should be fully cleared for return to play prior to returning to his or her sport.

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?