It’s time for another Austin Sports Medicine 101 class!
The nature of a concussion, however, can make it extremely challenging to recognize at first glance – the physical evidence is hidden beneath the injured person’s skull, after all.Most injuries sustained on the sports field have obvious tell-tale signs such as pain, bleeding, swelling or discoloration. Concussions are commonplace among high school athletes, affecting about 63,000 students every year.
“Concussions are serious business, but we don’t always know how severe the damage is immediately after the injury occurs,” said Dr. Pyron, owner of Medicine in Motion. The healing process may take time, but a quick response will be your athlete’s best bet for a solid recovery.”“If you or your child has taken a blow to the head, you might be wondering if a concussion has developed. I recommend referring to our symptoms checklist and heading to a doctor if you have even the slightest suspicion that it is a concussion.
Although many injured athletes are eager to get back into the game, a person suspected of having a concussion should immediately be removed or remove themselves from a game or any activity or sport. An increase in heart rate can worsen symptoms, but perhaps more importantly, a quick return to activity significantly increases the injured person’s risk of an even more serious brain injury. A doctor should always be consulted before an athlete returns to a sport or activity.
