07 Apr Spring Sports Safety: How To Reduce The Risk Of A Concussion
If you are an athlete or follow professional teams, you know that concussions should not be taken lightly. With the spring sports season ramping up, there is an increased risk of concussions. At New York Sports Medicine Institute, we offer concussion care to patients to facilitate a safe return to play and daily routines. Continue reading to discover how you can reduce your risk of a concussion this spring!
What is a Concussion?
The brain is soft, and the body protects the brain by cushioning it inside your skull in cerebrospinal fluid. Since your brain floats in this fluid, it can move around and possibly hit against the skull. A concussion is an injury to the brain caused by a bump or jolt to the head that can temporarily impact normal brain function. Concussions commonly occur during practice or games in any sport but can also result from a blow to the head that causes the head and brain to jolt quickly back and forth within the skull.
Signs of a Concussion
If you were out on the field and hit your head, it’s essential to be alert for signs and symptoms of a concussion. In some cases, concussions can take days to become noticeable. If you develop any of the following symptoms, it’s essential to seek treatment as soon as possible:
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Blurred Vision.
- Balance and Coordination Issues.
- Feelings of Confusion.
- Trouble Concentrating.
- Tinnitus.
- Light Sensitivity.
If you exhibit any of these symptoms and suspect that you may have a concussion, it’s crucial to consult with New York Sports Medicine Institute for a thorough evaluation of your condition.
Concussion Care at New York Sports Medicine Institute
Our concussion care at New York Sports Medicine Institute is a Credentialed ImPACT Consultant, offering both baseline and follow-up ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing). Here are some of our concussion care services:
- Individual neurocognitive assessments utilizing ImPACT and coordinating pre-season screenings.
- Rehabilitation therapy.
- Post-injury physical and neurocognitive evaluation.
- Balance testing.
- Educational workshops for coaches, trainers, parents, school nurses, athletes, and students.
Recovery after a concussion typically involves mental and physical rest. Athletes should limit activities that require intense thinking or concentration in the days following a concussion. Every patient is different, so healing factors will vary among individuals. Taking every precaution possible can help prevent serious head injuries.
How to Reduce the Risk of a Concussion
While there’s no way to prevent concussions entirely, coaches and players can take steps to reduce head injuries on the field and help ensure a concussion is addressed appropriately should one occur. Here are some ways to keep athletes concussion-free during the spring:
- Recognize concussion symptoms.
- Avoid head-to-head, foot-to-head, or arm-to-head contact with other athletes.
- Wear sport-specific protective gear, such as helmets, mouth and eye guards, padding, and shin guards.
- Make sure all protective equipment fits properly, is well-maintained, and is worn consistently.
- Enforce rules of sportsmanship and fair play.
- If an athlete suffers a head injury, take them out of the game immediately and have them evaluated immediately.
Concussions are serious injuries that require monitoring for after effects, and concussion awareness is essential all year round. Neglecting to take proper measures to prevent concussions can result in long-term, serious effects or neurological problems. Our team at New York Sports Medicine Institute is here to help minimize damage from these injuries and properly treat patients so they can continue to engage in the sport they love.