Health Topics
Concussions
What is a concussion?
Concussion is a brain injury. Concussions, as well as all other head injuries, are serious. They can be caused by a bump, a twist of the head, sudden deceleration or acceleration, a blow or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with force transmitted to the head. You can't see a concussion, and more than 90°/o of all concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. Al concussions are potentially serious and, if not managed properly, may result in complications including brain damage and, in rare cases, even death. Even a "ding" or a bump on the head can·be serious. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, your child should be immediately removed from play, eval ated by a medical professional and cleared by a medical doctor.
What are the signs and symptoms of concussion?
Concussion symptoms may appear immediately after the injury or can take several days to appear. Studies have shown that it takes on average 10-14 days or longer for symptoms to resolve and, in rare cases or if the athlete has sustained multiple concussions, the symptoms can be prolonged. Signs and symptoms of concussion can include: (not all-inclusive)
- Vacant stare or seeing stars
- Lack of awareness of surroundings
- Emotions out of proportion to circumstances (inappropriate crying or anger)
- Headache or persistent headache, nausea, vomiting
- Altered vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Delayed verbal and motor responses
- Disorientation, slurred or incoherent speech
- Dizziness, including light-headedness, vertigo (spinning) or loss of equilibrium (being off balance or swimming sensation)
- Decreases coordination, reaction time
- Confusion and inability to focus attention
- Memory loss
- Sudden change in academic performance or drop in grades
- Irritability, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, easy fatigability
- In rare cases, loss of consciousness
What can happen if my child keeps on playing with a concussion or returns to soon?
Athletes with signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from activity (play or practice) immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to sustaining another concussion. Athletes who sustain a second concussion before the symptoms of the first concussion have resolved and the brain has had a chance to heal are at risk for prolonged concussion symptoms, permanent disability and even death (called "Second Impact Syndrome'' where the brain swells uncontrollably). There is also evidence that multiple concussions can lead to long-term symptoms, including early dementia.
What do I do if I suspect my child has suffered a concussion?
Any athlete suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the activity immediately. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without written medical clearance from an appropriate health-care professional (AHCP). In Florida, an appropriate health-care professional (AHCP) is defined as either a licensed physician (MD, as per Chapter 458, Florida Statutes), a licensed osteopathic physician (DO, as per Chapter 459, Florida Statutes). Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours. You should also seek medical care and inform your child's coach if you think that your child may have a concussion. Remember, it's better to miss one game than to have your life changed forever. When in doubt, sit them out.
When can my child return to play or practice?
Following physician evaluation; the return to activity process requires the athlete to be completely symptom free, after which time they would complete a step-wise protocol under the supervision of a licensed athletic trainer, or medical professional and then, receive written medical clearance of an AHCP.
Heat-Related Illness
People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies cannot properly cool themselves by sweating. Sweating is the body's natural air conditioning, but when a person's body temperature rises rapidly, sweating just isn't enough. Heat-related illnesses can be serious and life threatening. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs, and can cause disability and even death. Heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable.
Heat Stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It happens when the body's temperature rises quickly and the body cannot cool down. Heat Stroke can cause permanent disability and death.
Heat Exhaustion is a milder type of heat-related illness. It usually develops after a number of days in high temperature weather and not drinking enough fluids.
Heat Cramps usually affect people who sweat a lot during demanding activity. Sweating reduces the body's salt and moisture and can cause painful cramps, usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.
Who's at Risk?
Those at highest risk include the elderly, the very young, people with mental illness and people with chronic diseases. However, even young and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participate in demanding physical activities during hot weather. Other conditions that can increase your risk for heat-related illness·include obesity, fever, dehydration, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug or alcohol use.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Facts
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a rare but tragic event that claims the lives of approximately 7,000 children each year in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. SCA is not a heart attack. It is an abnormality in the heart's electrical system that abruptly stops the heartbeat. SCA affects all students, in all sports or activities, and in all age levels. It may even occur in athletes who are in peak shape. The majority of activity related cardiac arrests are due to congenital (inherited) heart defects. However, SCA may also occur after a person experiences an illnes,s1hich has caused an inflammation to the 1,eart or after a direct blow to the chest. Once SCA occurs, there is very little time to save the person. So, identifying those at risk before the arrest occurs is a key factor in prevention.
Warning Signs
Possible warning signs of SCA include:
- Fainting
- Difficulty Breathing
- Chest Discomfort or Pain
- Dizziness
- Abnormal Racing Heart Rate
Assessing Risk
Health care providers may use several tests to help detect risk factors for SCA. One such test is the electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG is a simple, painless test that detects and records the heart's electrical activity. It is used to detect heart problems and monitor a person's heart health. There are no serious risks io a person having an ECG. ECG's are used as a screening tool to detect abnormalities before a person has symptoms, or as a diagnostic tool to help identify persons who would benefit from interventions to reduce the risk of a heart-related condition.
What are the risks of practicing or playing after experiencing warning symptoms?
There are risks associated with continuing to practice or play after experiencing warning symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest. When the heart stops, so does blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Death or permanent brain damage follows in just a few minutes. Most people who experience SCA die from it. However, when SCA is witnessed and an onsite automated external defibrillator (AED) is deployed in a timely manner, survival rates approach 50°/o.
How am I able to protect myself from SCA?
Daily physical activity, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep are all important aspects of life- long Health. Additionally, you can assist by:
- Knowing if you have a family history of SCA (onset of heart disease in a family member before the age of 50 or a sudden, unexplained death at an early age)
- Telling your health care provider during your pre-season physical about any unusual symptoms of feeling faint, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness, or racing or irregular heart rate, especially if you feel these symptoms with physical activity
- Taking only prescription drugs that are prescribed to you by your health care provider
- Being aware that the inappropriate use of prescription medications, energy drinks, or vaping can increase your risk
- Being honest and reporting symptoms
What should I do if I notice the warning signs that may lead to SCA?
- Tell an adult-your parent, your coach, your athletic trainer, your band leader, or your school nurse
- Get checked out by your health care provider
- Take care of your heart
- Remember that the most dangerous thing you can do is to do nothing