DEAR EDITOR:
As the fall athletic season gets underway, thousands of athletes will participate in their particular sport. The majority will go through the season without any incident. However, some will have the misfortune of sustaining some type of injury. An injury that has gained a great deal of attention in the news media as of late is the concussion. Because of this parents and coaches are becoming more aware of the seriousness of this condition.
When I was in high school and even in college, a concussion was not looked at as a real injury. How could it be? There was no blood, no outward bruises, no noticeable swelling and no bone sticking out of the skin. “Don’t worry about it, you just got your “bell rung,” suck it up and get back in there.” This sort of attitude has prevailed for a long time and still lingers. After suffering multiple concussions myself and watching one of my sons go through a similar experience, my interest in this topic has been strong throughout the years. As a health-care provider, my view on this topic, especially as it relates to the younger athlete, has gotten more conservative.
Concussion is defined as a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain induced by traumatic biomechanical forces. Some of the symptoms include confusion, disorientation, unsteadiness, dizziness, headache, visual disturbances and even loss of consciousness. No longer should it be thought of as a badge of honor for the athlete to get their “bell rung.” What we are finding is even the mild form of concussion poses a potential serious threat to the athlete if not managed correctly. The most serious complication in the short term, if the athlete doesn’t allow for complete recovery is swelling of the brain. Continued trauma to the still-susceptible brain causes it to swell, which can lead to serious brain damage or even death.
The more likely complication is repeated concussions. The athlete returns to the sport too soon and complete recovery has not taken place, which leaves the athlete more susceptible to another concussion. Multiple concussions and their cumulative effects to the brain may cause long-term health problems such as depression and early onset of dementia. Some of these findings have been made popular with recent reports of former NFL players suffering from these health issues.
So if your son or daughter just gets their “bell rung,” be smart, have them sit out until they have recovered. Have an open line of communication with the team trainer and coach. Sure, they may miss a practice or two, maybe even a game but in the long run, it will be worth it.
“Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.”
Jay M. DeWitt, DC
