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