| Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when | | | | shown that athletes who have suffered |
| the head strikes or is stuck by an | | | | multiple concussions are more likely to |
| object. The head does not have to | | | | have prolonged learning difficulties and |
| experience an external blow for the | | | | perform more poorly on |
| brain to be injured. Brain damage can | | | | neuropsychological tests compared to |
| occur when the head is pushed strongly | | | | people who have had one concussion or no |
| against the skull, such as with | | | | concussions. Some the well-documented |
| whiplash. | | | | neuropsychological impairments in |
| Concussion is a mild form of TBI from | | | | athletes who have had multiple |
| which recovery often occurs without long | | | | concussions are: |
| term effects unless a person experiences | | | | * Reduced speed in processing new |
| multiple concussions. Repeated brain | | | | information |
| injuries have a cumulative effect | | | | * Problem solving and planning |
| resulting in more severe and more | | | | difficulties |
| prolonged post-concussion symptoms. A | | | | * Increased number of headaches |
| very serious and dangerous condition or | | | | * Concentration difficulties |
| even death can occur if a second | | | | * Memory impairments |
| concussion is suffered while symptoms | | | | * Behavioral problems |
| from a previous concussion still | | | | Why Athletes Suffer Multiple Concussions |
| persist. This condition is called | | | | Factors that contribute to why athletes |
| second-impact syndrome (SIS). | | | | suffer multiple concussions are related |
| Sports-Related Concussions Causes and | | | | to the ability to accurately assess |
| Frequency | | | | severity and recovery from symptoms. For |
| According to the Centers for Disease | | | | example, there are several different |
| Control and Prevention (CDC), about | | | | scales for rating severity at the time |
| 300,000 people experience concussions | | | | of the concussion but there is general |
| each year from sports injuries. Most | | | | lack of agreement on which to use. There |
| sports-related concussions come from | | | | is also lack of agreement on what amount |
| contact sports, especially football, | | | | of time should pass before athletes can |
| boxing, hockey, and martial arts. Other | | | | safely return to sports. This is because |
| major causes of a large number of | | | | there are not any widely accepted |
| sports-related concussions are falls or | | | | guidelines for assessing whether the |
| collisions in sports such as skiing, | | | | athlete has recovered. |
| bicycling, horseback riding, basketball, | | | | Preventing Traumatic Brain Injury |
| and soccer. In soccer an additional risk | | | | Using proper protective equipment can |
| for concussions is heading the ball. | | | | prevent many cases of concussion. |
| The most likely population to suffer | | | | Helmets or other appropriate headgear |
| concussions due to sports activities are | | | | should be used in contact sports, and in |
| males between the ages of 16 and 25. | | | | sports for which falling or colliding |
| Within this group, the risk is highest | | | | are risks (skiing, horseback riding, |
| at the high school level. About 25 | | | | bicycling). Custom fitted mouth pieces |
| percent of the 300,000 sports-related | | | | may also help prevent concussions in |
| concussions reported each year are | | | | contact sports. To be effective, all |
| suffered by high school students playing | | | | protective equipment should be properly |
| contact sports. At the college level, | | | | fitted and used for the purpose in which |
| over one third of football players has | | | | is was designed. |
| suffered a concussion and about 20 | | | | Although the risk of concussion is |
| percent have had multiple concussions. | | | | inherent in sports participation, |
| Dangers of Multiple Concussions | | | | decisions as to what sport to |
| Second-impact syndrome (SIS), which is a | | | | participate in can help mitigate the |
| concussion that occurs while the victim | | | | risk of concussion. If you are |
| is still recovering from and earlier | | | | concerned about a traumatic brain injury |
| concussion, has resulted in at least 26 | | | | sustained while playing a sport, you may |
| deaths in the past 20 years since this | | | | wish to contact an experienced TBI |
| condition was first characterized. Most | | | | lawyer. Your traumatic brain injury |
| of these victims were in high school. | | | | attorney can help you assess your |
| While most cases of SIS and multiple | | | | potential TBI claim and help you get the |
| concussions do not cause death, the | | | | compensation you deserve for the |
| neuropsychological brain damage they | | | | devastation incurred in traumatic brain |
| cause is significant. Many studies have | | | | injuries. |