A sports concussion (sports-related or otherwise) refers to a certain type of traumatic brain injury caused by an impact to the body or head. Concussions often occur after an accident, fall, fight, or anything else that can cause your skull to shake. Concussions are common with athletes, hockey players, footballers, rugby players, boxers and martial art enthusiasts.
It is easy to suffer from a concussion, and fail to know
about it immediately. Symptoms of a concussion can either be severe or
mild.
Common signs of a concussion are;
· Headache
· Dizziness
· Anxiousness
· Blurriness
· Nausea and vomiting
· Memory complications
· Poor Sleep patterns
· Irritability
· Anger
· sadness
· Fatigue
· Feeling emotional
· Nausea
· Nervousness
· Numbness
· Sensitivity to either noise or light
· Vomiting
Effects of concussion:
Concussions can
either cause severe or mild effects. Nevertheless; serious effects are very
rare after a concussion. Here are both short and long term effects of
concussions;
· Communication
Problems
· Abnormal Brain
Waves
· Sensory
processing impairment: Visual, Auditory,
· Motor Skills
Decline: Fine motor skills, Gross motor skills
· Cognitive
impairment: Memory, Learning, Attention,
· Emotional
Disturbances; Anger, Anxiety, Depression
· Neurodegeneration
· Low sex drive
· Movement
complications
· Disturbed sleep
patterns
How to Prevent a Concussion:
While a concussion
can be inevitable in some cases, its effects can be catastrophic. The human
brain is very delicate. Therefore, it is imperative to take the following
preventive measures to prevent concussions from occurring:
1. Always wear protective equipment
Protective gear and
equipment are highly recommended for those who engage in vigorous activities
such as football, boxing, skiing, rugby, horse riding, hockey, skateboarding,
cycling, snowboarding, racing and martial arts among others. Wearing helmets,
eye and mouth guards can help to reduce the risks of concussions significantly.
However, it is extremely important to ensure that your protective
equipment/gear fit perfectly and well-maintained for maximum protection.
2. Be careful
Being careful when
engaging in driving and sports activities can make all the difference. Desist
from driving under the influence of alcohol or drug, respect speed limits, obey
traffic rules and respect other drivers to avoid causing concussions-related
accidents. High impact sports athletes should avoid reckless tackles, and be fully
aware of their surroundings and other players. In other words, attentiveness
and soberness are keys to preventing concussions.
Recommended Actions in case of a Concussion:
1. Seek Medical Attention
There is wisdom in
seeking sports medical assistance after a concussion. Health experts recommend
against ignoring traumatic brain injury symptoms to avoid negative long-term
effects on your health and wellness. Your doctor can give you the right medical
attention depending on whether your concussion is mild or severe.
2. Take a Rest
People who engage
in rigorous sports are more susceptible to concussions than those who don’t. In
case of a concussion, a player should take a break immediately. Rest helps the
brain to recover from a concussion. Should symptoms persist, seek immediate
medical attention.
3. Avoid concussions reoccurrences
Do everything in
your power to guard yourself against regular concussions. Repeat concussions
can effectively cause severe brain damage.
Treatment for a concussion:
Concussions
can be treated using various medical methods, with specific treatment being
dictated by the severity of the concussion. A well-qualified medical
professional can make his/her recommendation depending on the symptoms and
severity of the concussion injury.