The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby

 
Concussions are not limited to just football. We see players across the sports spectrum getting concussions and dealing with the repercussions. For example in 2002, Rugby star Leon MacDonald was knocked unconscious against Fiji, and just six weeks later, suffered another concussion.

MacDonald stated after the second concussion in six weeks, "that if I got over my symptoms fully before I got another knock, then I'd be back to square one, like everyone else on the field." This for the most part is not true, because studies have shown that people who have had a history of repeated concussions are more likely to recieve aniother concussion than one who has never had a concussion. The risks escelate with every devestatibng blow to the head; especially in a sport with high impact with no helmates. Elizabeth Quinn, a sports physiologist in Texas with a masters degree in sports science, reports Collins as saying "the study indicates for the first time in the high school athlete population that prior concussions may indeed lower the threshold for subsequent concussion injury and increase symptom severity in even seemingly mild subsequent concussions".  In other word it become worse and worse with every concussion that a player sustains throughout his or her career. We must all make these facts know to players and parents of players. This is vital information when deciding when the player should return to play, and whether or not the player should EVER return to play. These decisions are made among other important factors, but the studies are not something to take lightly, because we could ultimately save someone's life just bby educating the public on the risks accosiated with concussions and head trauma.

What is a Concussion

Bumping your head is all too easy, (especially with a ginormous head like mine). From accidentally hitting your head on the cabinet above you, to getting hit by a 250 Lb. linebacker, head trauma is too common. If you hit your head hard enough to cause a headache, there is a good chance that you have sustained a concussion.

Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that can occur from both mild and severe blows to the head. It occurs when your brain is hit violently against the inside of your skull; it is essentially a "brain bruise." Recent research has indicated that even mild concussions can have serious, long-term effects, especially if they are cumulative. A sudden turning movement such as a punch to the side of the face is more likely to cause unconsciousness.

http://theconcussionblog.com/what-is-a-concussion/

Interview with Joshua Drost

Joshua Drost - Age 21 - Brother's good friend

Josh started playing football since he was in grade school, and loves the game almost more than life itself. He was devastated when he found out that he would not be able to play football again without risking serious brain injury.Football was everything to Josh and he had struggled with Post-Concussion Syndrome just like me. In his Junior year of high-school, Josh sustained 3 concussions in one year, raising his life total to 7.

Me "When and where was your first concussion?"

Josh: "It was in 4th grade when I was playing for the Clairemont Hawks. And I believe it was at the Junior Seau Complex I can't remember. (Laughter) I guess that isn't a good sign."

Me: " How severe was it?"

Josh: "It wasn't that bad. I didn't lose consciousness or anything."

Me: "What do you think caused you to get so many concussions?"

Josh: "Honestly, a combination of things. First off is form. I always had my head down when I tackled because that was what felt natural but looking back I would have probably avoided most of them. Second is just the style in which I played. I always gave it my all and tried harder then the next kid. But i think the Third reason is just simply some bad luck."

Me: "What were some of the difficulties you faced when dealing with Post-Concussion Syndrome?"

Josh: " My memory isn't as good as it used to be, sensitivity to light, headaches obviously, an almost drowsiness, and a lot of mood swings mental breakdowns."

Me: "How hard was it to walk away from the game you loved the most?"

Josh: " One of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But I know it is for my own health so I can rest easy. It just took me a couple years to grasp my head around it."

Josh had been striving for athletic scholarships until his concussions finally caught up to him in high school. His life would be changed forever. When I interviewed Josh he had a aura of peace, (in his decision to give football up), about him that I did not see for a long time. The hardest battle to fight in the war on concussions is the pride of the athletes.

High School Athletes Continue to Hide Symptoms

High school athletes that play contact sports all know somebody who has sustained a concussion at some point; yet players still make the choice to hide or under-exaggerate their symptoms in order to return to play when they desire. A survey was conducted to 120 athletes that asked questions relating to concussions in sports. 82 athletes reported having concussion symptoms and risks explained to them while 30 athletes reported suffering a concussion themselves. The majority of the high schoolers answered that they

understood that "headaches, dizziness, difficulty with memory, difficulty concentrating and light and sound sensitivity were all risk factors for a concussion after a high-impact hit." Although students indicated they were aware of the risks associated with concussions, more than 50% of the 120 high school players surveyed said they continue to play. The survey indicated that 53% of players said they would “always or sometimes continue to play with a headache sustained from an injury.” Only 54% said they would “always or sometimes report symptoms of a concussion to their coach.”

This is an alarming and chilling statistic; considering that people have lost their lives due to the complications that come along with concussions. Diagnosing concussions among high-impact sports athletes has gained more attention in the past couple years as more research has come out showing issues from concussions from NFL players. Concussions can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms are mainly self-reported, and, in most cases, it is impossible to see a concussion on a CAT scan or MRI. The ultimate fall of these players is their pride and desire to stay in the game when the right thing to do is to watch from the sidelines. We need to change the culture of "being the tough guy" as it applies to concussions. This is not your hand, or your big toe, it is your brain and you only get one. Athletes in every sport need to take it seriously in order to save future lives.

http://healthland.time.com/2013/05/07/high-school-athletes-dont-report-concussion-symptoms/

Death of a Legend

On May 2nd, 2012, retired San Diego Charger linebacker Junior Seau committed suicide in his Oceanside home. He had shot him self in the chest with a shotgun, which circulated discussion on why he did not shot himself in the head like how most suicide attempts with a firearm occur. Many speculated that he suffered form depression and that by shooting himself in the chest, it implied that he wanted doctors to study his brain.

A report ESPN revealed that Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is connected to long-term head trauma. Seau was one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game. It is not surprising that he had CTE considering his intensity and "big hit" nature.The report states that CTE is a disease that was found in other former football players as well. Over time, it can result in result in dementia, memory loss and depression. Junior Seau was never restricted from play as a result of a concussion, which indicates that he played through every head injury he had; and it ultimately cost him his life. He will be remembered for his tenacious play style, but we must also use him and his legacy as an example of the repercussions of repeated, untreated head trauma.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1479019-junior-seau-test-results-showing-cte-exemplify-why-nfl-concussion-rules-are-key

HEADed in the Right Direction

As of Friday April 26, 2013, the state of Ohio is officially joining the nationwide trend of making head injuries in youth sports a legal matter. Ohio’s new youth-concussion law is in full effect today, which requires steps be taken to educate parents, coaches and officials about concussion symptoms in athletes 18 and younger. Under the new legislature, a young athlete showing concussion symptoms must be removed from a game or practice and not be aloud to return to play for at least 24 hours after the sustained injury and until cleared by an authorized physician or licensed health-care provider.

This is a great step in the right direction. As a youth football coach, I have witnessed a coach putting his son back into the game after he had been complaining about his head hurting "really bad." The dad/coach replied, "After that hit son? Get back in there." Who knows if he actually had a concussion, but the way the father treated a possible head injury with such insignificance made me cringe. By making it a law, it puts pressure on coaches and parents to make the better, more educated decision.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2013/04/26/new-concussion-law-guards-kids-in-sports.html