Southeastern Med to offer Concussion Management Program

A concussion is not just a bump on the head. It's a traumatic brain injury that needs proper treatment whether it is mild or severe. Southeastern Med's Athletic Trainers are proud to announce they will be offering ImPACT (Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) to student athletes at Cambridge, Meadowbrook and John Glenn schools. Southeastern Med currently contracts certified athletic trainers to these local school districts.

ImPACT is a computerized exam utilized in many professional, collegiate and high school sports programs across the country to successfully diagnose and manage concussions. The exam will be given to athletes before beginning a contact sport to establish a healthy, baseline score. It tracks information such as memory, reaction time and concentration. If an athlete is believed to have suffered a head injury during competition, he or she is removed from the sport and given the test again to help determine the severity of the injury and when return-to-play is appropriate and safe.

ImPACT testing also catches athletes who, eager to get back on the field, could deny their symptoms in a question and answer session. ImPACT offers objective results with safeguards to prevent cheating in the baseline test.

"Parents and coaches can now feel more confident in safely returning their children and athletes to activity following a concussion with ImPACT," Marston said. "Sometimes kids will minimize their symptoms because they want to play. ImPACT gives clear results that are easily explained to athletes, coaches and parents. It's a great tool for keeping kids safe."

Southeastern Med's Athletic Trainers will begin conducting baseline testing for Cambridge, Meadowbrook and John Glenn student athletes in July.

Athletes who sustain concussions usually recover without lasting health problems by following certain precautions and taking a breather from sports. But a child with an undiagnosed concussion can be at risk for brain damage, disability and even death.

An athlete who suffers a concussion can be at risk for a condition known as second impact syndrome if he or she returns to sports before full recovery. Second impact syndrome is a life-threatening condition in which a second concussion occurs before a first concussion has properly healed, causing rapid and severe brain swelling. Second impact syndrome can result from even a very mild concussion that occurs days or weeks after the initial concussion.

"Second impact syndrome can be prevented," Marston said. "Don't allow an athlete to return to sports after a concussion until their symptoms have completely resolved and they have been cleared by a medical professional."

Parents should be aware that signs and symptoms of a concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away. Common symptoms include: headache, dizziness, feeling foggy, nausea, fatigue and confusion. Common signs include memory loss, a loss of balance and coordination, and changes in personality.

For information about ImPACT or concussion management, call the athletic trainers at Southeastern Med at 439-8977.

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Southeastern Med to offer Concussion Management Program