Concussions Affecting Student Athletes

The Center for Disease Control estimates that 1.6-3.8 million concussions occur annually (qtd in NATA 1). A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that causes a disturbance in cerebral function (BIAA 1). Rates have tripled over the course of seven years in teens (CDC 1). There are a variety of ways the injury can be prevented. Similarly, if one is thought to have a concussion there are several ways to evaluate and treat it. Not only does injury to the brain affect student-athletes physically, many students are affected mentally as well. Teachers should be aware of the aftermath students experience and curriculum may need to be modified for students due to concussions and the inability to focus and perform as well academically.
This blow or jolt to the head causes the brain to move rapidly, causing the brain to hit the skull and cause damage to the brain cells. This causes the one to become hypersensitive to certain surroundings such as stress, light, sound, and motor skills (CDC 1). These signs and symptoms are also known as neurological impairments. When these impairments do not resolve on their own, one should then be referred to see a physician to determine if they are suffering from a concussion. The severity of neurological impairments can vary on the severity of the concussion. Concussions can be graded anywhere from a slight concussion to a severe concussion. A slight concussion one could be out for maybe a week. But if the student-athlete has a severe concussion one could be out for months. The difference between a slight concussion and a severe one can be determined by some specific scanning or testing and by the appearance of ones mental status and physical signs. Before the concussion occur or before the ones season starts one may take some baseline