A Concussion... is a BRAIN INJURY
Basic Facts
A concussion is caused by a hit or blow to the head that causes the brain to hit the skull at one or more locations. These hits are determined to be a concussion or mild brain injury, when the effects are not life threatening. However, the effects can still be devastating and have the potential to be long-term.
Check out this video for an overview:
Concussions 101
Did You Know?
There are more than 750,000 concussions (or mild brain injuries) each in North America with approximately 6,000 in Saskatchewan each year.
Athletes aged 15-17 are at the highest risk of concussion, and long-term effects due to improper treatment.
You do not have to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion; and many symptoms may take several hours to appear.
After just one concussion you are 4 times more likely to suffer a second concussion.
Concussions can happen in various ways:
- Colliding with another player in Soccer
- Falling while doing a lift in Cheerleading
- Being knocked out in Boxing
- Getting tackled in Football
- Head hitting the glass after a hockey hit
- A rough fall while skiing or snowboarding
Common Concussion Symptoms (just one could mean a concussion):
- Headache or "pressure" in head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or difficulty keeping balance
- Double or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Feeling sluggish, foggy, or hazy
- Difficulty paying attention
- Memory problems
- Confusion
Tools for proper diagnosis in sports can be
found here
Treating a concussion:
- Immediate removal from play/physical acitivity
- Involves complete rest (no brain stimulation at all, this includes no tv, computer, iPod, etc.)
- Following an appropriate return to play strategy - Learn more here
- Each concussion is unique, and thus the treatment and healing time is unique to each injury
Ask yourself if you feel 100%. Even if you cannot physically describe why you are not feeling your best, you SHOULD NOT resume play until you do.
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