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DANVILLE — As the new school year approaches and kids gear up for fall sports seasons, a Geisinger expert underscores the importance of identifying and treating concussions.
“Concussions are a form of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, that must be managed carefully, especially in athletes under the age of 18 who face a greater risk of recovery complications,” said Dr. Matthew McElroy, sports medicine physician with Geisinger Medical Center.
“This injury is caused by blunt force trauma — when a person is struck by or strikes an object forcefully, causing the brain to move harmfully within the skull. This type of trauma is very common in sports.” The Sports Concussion Institute reports that approximately 10 percent of high school athletes sustain a concussion each year. According to a study conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 41 percent of athletes with concussion symptoms returned to play the same day.
“Programs like ImPACT help guide proper concussion management to help ensure that athletes return to play in an appropriate amount of time and without health complications,” he said.
Geisinger uses the ImPACT system, a computer-based test that measures verbal and visual memory, information processing speed, reaction time and impulse control to create a baseline measurement of an athlete’s brain function.
ImPACT testing is important for athletes because, with a baseline measurement, it can compare brain function pre- and post-concussion to determine when the brain has healed and it is safe to resume normal activity.
“Most sports-related head injuries are potentially minor and heal over time,” he said. “But if young athletes return to sports or activities too soon after a concussion, they risk long-term health problems and even, in extreme cases, death. It is important to recognize concussion symptoms and seek medical attention if you suspect a concussion occurred.” Concussion symptoms can vary depending on the severity and type. Immediate signs include loss of consciousness, confusion, amnesia, headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, ringing in the ears or slurred speech. Other symptoms such as memory or concentration problems, sensitivity to light and noise, sleep disturbances, irritability and depression might not appear immediately, according to McElroy.
Symptoms may last only a few days for minor incidents but following a severe concussion, symptoms may persist for several weeks.
The initial treatment for concussions is avoidance of activities, including sports practices and games, that increase the risk of further head trauma; rest; and mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen, he said, adding athletes must understand that care of concussions is more than just physical rest.
“We also address proper concussion diet and mental rest that is often overlooked but critically important to concussion care and recovery,” he said.
“While it can be difficult to determine when it is safe for athletes to return to the playing field, it is best to allow as much time as possible for a concussion to heal,” he said. “An athlete should never return to a sport before his or her symptoms have completely gone away.” A head trauma sustained while a concussion is healing can result in fatal brain swelling known as second impact syndrome, and the risk is especially high for young people, he said.
“Concussions are serious brain injuries and it is critically important to avoid situations that could cause second impact syndrome while recovering from the initial injury,” he said. “Whenever a head trauma occurs, seek medical attention and make sure to heed your physician’s advice during recovery.”
