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Head Injury Information
Signs and Symptoms of Mild Head Injury
Parents need to be aware of the observable signs and symptoms of a concussion:
Headache
Nausea
Balance problems or dizziness
Double or fuzzy vision
Sensitivity to light or noise
Feeling slowed down |
Feeling "foggy" or "not sharp"
Change in sleep pattern
Concentration or memory problems
Irritability
Sadness
Feeling more emotional |
Post-concussion Syndrome Following a mild head injury, athletes may suffer a number of lingering symptoms for varying lengths of time. If any of the following list of post-concussive symptoms are noted, the athlete should not be allowed to return to participation and should be referred for physician evaluation if symptoms persist.
Depression
Numbness/tingling
Dizziness
Poor balance
Drowsiness
Poor concentration
Excess sleep
Ringing in the ears
Fatigue
Sadness |
Feeling "in fog"
Sensitivity to light
Headache
Sensitivity to noise
Irritability
Trouble falling asleep
Memory problems
Vomiting
Nausea
Nervousness |
Second-Impact Syndrome Second-impact syndrome is a rare event, which poses a significant concern for athletes who return too soon after suffering a previous concussion. Second-impact syndrome is characterized by an autoregulatory dysfunction that causes rapid and fatal brain swelling, and can result in death in as little as two to five minutes. It is particularly important to note that virtually all of the second-impact syndrome cases that have been reported have occured in adolescent athletes. The progressive signs of second-impact syndrome are as follows:
* Previous history of concussion
* Visual, motor or sensory changes
* Difficulty with memory and/or thought process
* Collapse into coma
* Signs of cranial nerve and brainstem pressure
Cumulative Effects of Repeated Concussions At this time, there is little known about the cumulative effect of concussions. However, early research suggests that athletes who have sustained at least one mild head injury (MHI) have a greater risk for repeated MHI and that the severity of subsequent MHI may be increased. Until research can further illuminate the potential cumulative effects of concussion, it is recommended that athletes sustaining more than one concussion should be referred for follow up evaluation and assessment to determine any residual effects that might preclude participation in contact or collision sports.
Reference:
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
PO Box 690
Indianapolis, Indiana 46260
Phone: 317-972-6900,
Fax: 317.822.5700
www.nfhs.org
Prepared by Vito Perriello, M.D., a member of the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.
Reducing Head and Neck Injuries in Football
Frederick O. Mueller, Ph.D.
Head and neck injuries in football have been dramatically reduced since the late 1960's. Several suggestions for continued reduction ae are follow:
- Preseason physical exams for all participants. Identify during the physical exam those athletes with a history of previous head or neck injuries. If the physician has any questions about the athlete's readiness to particpate, the athlete should not be allowed to play.
- A physician should be present at all games. If it is not possible for a physician to be present at all games and practice sessions, emergency measures must be provided. The total staff should be organized in that each person will know what to do in case of head or neck injury in game or practice. Have a plan ready and hour your staff prepared to implement that plan. Prevention of further injury is the main objective.
- Athletes must be given proper conditioning exercises which will strengthen their necks so that participants will be able to hold their head firmly erect whn making contact. Strong neck muscles may help prevent neck injuries.
- Coaches should drill the athletes in the proper execution of the fundamentals of football skills, particularly blocking and tackling. Keep the head out of football.
- Coaches and officials should discourage the players from using their heads as battering rams. The rules prohibiting spearing should be enforced in practice and in games. The plaers should be taught to respect the helmet as a protective device and that the helmet should not be used as a weapon.
- All coaches, physicians, and trainers should take special care to see that the player's equip0ment is properly fitted, particularly the helmet.
- Strict enforcement of the rules of the game by both coaches and officials will hep reduce serious injuries.
- When a player has experienced or shown signes of head trauma (loss of consciousness, visual disturbances, headache, inabiulity to walk correctly, obvious disorientation, memory loss) he should receive immediate medical attention and should not be allowed to return to practice or game without permission from the proper medical authorities.
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