CONCUSSION

Adolescent Concussions



Abstract

Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), is a potentially severe consequence of participation in interscholastic athletics and an important public health issue because of the large number of athletes sustaining these injuries, the relatively young age of individuals at the time of injury, and the potential for cumulative effects of repeated injuries. This paper presents research in the area of adolescent concussions. It will define the term concussion followed by its diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Moreover, it will elaborate the strategies and precautionary measures that should be adopted by the coaches and parents to prevent them or to ensure that the healing phase is completed before one is released back into action.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Thesis Statement1

Introduction1

Signs and Symptoms2

Psychological symptoms3

Diagnosis of Concussion3

Misdiagnosis of Concussion4

Second Impact Syndrome (SIS)5

Same-Season Repeat Concussion6

Studies conducted by Researchers7

Conclusion8

References10

Adolescent Concussions

Thesis Statement

There is a long way to go to find a cure or even diagnose a concussion. Most of the research is being done at the professional level, but maybe the most dangerous and hardest to diagnose is in adolescents. On a national level there are more adolescents' playing sports than there are in college and at the professional level combined

Introduction

Concussion is defined as a complex pathophysiological process which is induced by the traumatic biomechanical forces and which affects the brain in a negative manner (Kimbler, 2011). Several common features that integrate clinical, pathological, and biomechanical injury constructs that may be used in defining the nature of a concussive head injury include the following.

1. Concussion may be a result of a direct blow to the face, head, neck, or any other part on the body with an impulsive force transmitted to the head.

2. Concussion is also caused by the rapid onset of temporary impairment of neurological function that resolves spontaneously.

3. Concussion may be the result of neuro pathological changes, but the severe clinical symptoms significantly reflect a functional disturbance rather than the structural injury.

4. Concussion is caused by a graded set of clinical syndromes that may or may not involve the loss of consciousness. Resolution of the clinical and cognitive symptoms typically follows a sequential course. However, in some cases, post concussive symptoms may be extended.

5. Concussion is typically associated with grossly normal structural neuro imaging studies

Concussion is a common issue in many sports and recreational activities, especially those that involves the body contact, collisions or high speeds. In general practice, concussive brain injuries may presents severely following head trauma (Navarro, 2011). More commonly, patients report some times after their head injury, either with ongoing symptoms or for medical clearance to allow them to return to play. Clinical management involves the confirmation of the diagnosis, differentiating concussion from structural head injury, estimating the severity of injury and determining when the patient can return safely to competition. Recent data suggest that concussions account for 8.9% of all high school sports injuries and that females may be prone to higher rates of concussive injuries compared to male athletes participating in the same sports.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom that is found ...