Concussion Awareness

Concussion Awareness

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that could potentially result in impaired brain function. The severity of the injury affects the type of symptoms. Concussion symptoms could include but are not limited to:

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity
• Balance problems
• Loss of consciousness
• Lack of concentration
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Check out WebMd for more information, signs and symptoms

The current research community continues to provide studies and reviews on the relationship between the individual and a concussion. The science only continues to improve, and can begin to impact peoples’ lives for the better. Read below to learn more about a recent finding on concussion research.

“This is Your Brain on Football”

                                                                                               Image above is from the video

Concussion awareness has become a major topic of concern in recent years. Many school systems across the country now require mandatory annual concussion training for any athlete desiring sports participation. The impact of repeated concussive and sub-concussive hits to the brain are now coming to the forefront of medical research.

Dr. Ann McKee, a neuropathologist at the Bedford, MA Veterans Administration has been conducting extensive research on the effects that concussions and repeated sub-concussive hits have on the brain. It is estimated that the average football player can have up to 1,500 of these sub-concussive impacts per season. This is now apparently being shown to have a possible link to a condition known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). During deveolpment of this condition large deposits of an abnormal Tau protein get deposited on the neural cells of the brain causing them to degenerate and die. Symptoms can show up years later in the form of depression, loss of judgement, memory loss and possible full dementia.