Concussions may as well be called "the invisible injury." They happen to an organ which is completely enclosed by bone and usually covered by hair. It's hard to see a concussion - and consequently, it is often underestimated. In this episode, we describe concussive injuries, put them in context of soccer related activities, explain how to recognize them, how to respond to them, how the sport is working to minimize them, and some specific things (and equipment) that you can do or buy to help protect the young athletes in your life. Concussions OverviewKnowingA concussion is like a bruise to the brainTypically invisible to the lay personCaused by impact of the brain organ with the inside of the craniumClassified as Major, Minor, and Sub-ConcussiveCan accumulate over timeCan be seen by microscope even when not found by an MRI or CT scanRecognizingSigns vs SymptomsWitnessed eventDazed or stunnedClumsy movementAnswers slowlyLoses consciousnessMood, behavior or personality changesNausea VomitingHeadache or pressureBothered by light or noiseSluggish, lazy, foggy, or groggyConfusion, concentration or memory problemsReactingRemove child from the fieldKeep child or teen out of play the day of the gameHave child or teen seen my a health professional experienced in concussion evaluationAsk health care provider for written instructions for returning to school and returning to playResources:1“Cumulative Brain Injury Develops From a Variety of Sources.” Autonomic Advantage, www.autonomicrecovery.com/brain-injury-accumulates-from-a-variety-of-sources/.2“Is Soccer Really Safer Than Football? Concussion Experts Aren't So Sure.” Traumatic Brain Injury, www.traumaticbraininjury.net/is-soccer-really-safer-than-football-concussion-experts-arent-so-sure/.3“Female Soccer Players Suffer the Most Concussions in High School Sports.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 14 Mar. 2017, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170314081533.htm.4Boddy, Jessica. “With Concussion Risk In Soccer, Headers May Kick It Up A Notch.” NPR, NPR, 1 Feb. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/02/01/512848122/with-concussion-risk-in-soccer-headers-may-kick-it-up-a-notch.5Purchase a HALO 3 Protective Headband (Use code "Damascus" for 10% discount at checkout) http://unbouncepages.com/damascus_combo/
