Concussion Prevention and Treatment – Daniel Island News

Concussion Prevention and Treatment The rising incidence of sports-related concussions is a concern from the little leagues to the professional sports teams. All sporting events, whether recreational or competitive, have a risk of concussion for the player. In 2022, the three sports with the highest concussion rates are:

Football (10.4 concussions per 10,000 athlete exposures)

Women's Soccer (8.19 per 10,000 athlete exposures)

Ice Hockey (7.69 per 10,000 athlete exposures)

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by force to the body that causes the head/brain to move rapidly. Knowing when it is vital to see a medical expert about a head-related injury is the first step to preventing long-term damage and symptoms. Following an injury to the head, be aware of these signs and symptoms:

Headache

Ringing in the ears

Nausea or Vomiting

Fatigue or drowsiness

Blurry vision

Confusion or feeling as if in a fog

Dizziness or "seeing stars"

Those present at the traumatic event may observe the concussed person experiencing a temporary loss of consciousness, delayed response to questions, and a dazed appearance. It is also possible to suffer delayed symptoms from a concussion. These may include concentration and memory complaints, irritability and other personality changes, sensitivity to light and noise, general malaise, and sleep disturbances.

If you are experiencing any of the above, see a sports medicine doctor with expertise in concussion diagnosis and management. Many healthcare providers are not experienced in dealing with concussions. It is crucial to ensure the chosen medical professional has experience with this type of injury. Concussions are diagnosed with a variety of physical exam maneuvers and neurologic testing. Further complicating diagnosis, direct head trauma is not required to sustain a concussion. Data shows that patients who return too soon to daily and sporting activities following a concussion are at risk of sustaining significant long-term symptoms. A decade ago, the management of concussions was neither consistent nor mandatory for many professional athletes. Ice hockey player and Stanley Cup winner, Adam Deadmarsh and NFL football player, Sean Morey, are examples of a long list of athletes suffering from the lifelong effects of multiple concussions. Second impact syndrome (SIS) occurs when two concussions happen in a relatively short time, and the second concussion occurs before the first has fully healed. This can be very dangerous. Unfortunately, after experiencing one concussion, it takes less force for another to occur. Added diligence is needed to ensure you are fully recovered to avoid SIS.

Treatment for concussions is not a universal "one size fits all" patients. Instead, treatment is tailored to the specific symptoms and test results performed during your clinic visit. At Charleston Sports Medicine, we use the most up-to-date medical information, and my experience working with NCAA and NFL teams to provide concussion patients with the best treatment and ensures a safe return to school/work and sports.

Eric Friedman, MD, Sports Medicine

Charleston Sports Medicine

Read the rest here:
Concussion Prevention and Treatment - Daniel Island News