Traumatic Brain Injury In Sports

1805 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Concussion inquiry essay

A traumatic brain injury can be described as any blow to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. The most common type of mild traumatic brain injury is a concussion and is one of the leading injuries among athletes. A concussion is defined as several common presenting symptoms that incorporate clinical, pathological and biomechanical aspects.1 Signs and symptoms of a concussion include physical symptoms such as nausea, headache, vomiting, balance problems, dizziness, visual problems and hypersensitivity to light and noise. Cognitive symptoms commonly include increased concentration issues and feeling mentally foggy, forgetful, confused. Emotional symptoms include irritability, sadness and increased anxiety. Sleep symptoms …show more content…

Inclusion criteria in my study include male and female athletes with a minimum age of 14-15 (must be at least in high school). There will not be a maximum age, gender, sport or geographic limitation. Exclusion criteria include athletes that are younger than 14 years of age and people that have received a concussion not related to sports. I have chosen these specific criteria and topic as I have a personal, vested interest in this topic. In my senior season of collegiate soccer, I sustained a concussion which ended the season for me. I also experienced several short-term side effects which I believe I’ve properly recovered from. However, I’ve known many teammates that continued playing after receiving multiple concussions. Studies show that 5% to 10% percent of all athletes will suffer from a concussion while playing sports and for a female playing soccer the chance is 50%.1 These alarming statistics coupled with my personal experiences have inspired me to research sport induced concussions among both male and female …show more content…

developed a clinically relevant closed-head injury model using mice that paralleled the many signs, symptoms and long-term effects seen in athletes that suffer from concussions. Important components in this study included the presence of astrogliosis, neural injury and the long-term cognitive and pathological effects that were observed post-mortem. Increased immunoreactivity of p-tau 6 months after injury and a positive correlation of hyperphosphorylation and the pathological aggregation of tau in these rodent’s brains were also important findings. This correlation is significant because it is indicative of axonal injury which is a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. 6 CREB which is a cellular transcription factor that has been proven to have many implications in the long-term effects of receiving a concussion was also analyzed in this study. Mice that received multiple head injuries displayed reduced phosphorylation of CREB which ultimately promotes decreased neuronal survival, memory and cognitive functioning.” 6
Daneshvar et al. analyzed the characteristics and long-term effects of post-concussion syndrome, as well as concussions and their effects on behavior. They also studied contraindications to returning to play and their correlation with degenerative and motor neuron disease. This article used the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) which is the standard diagnostic tool used for epidemiology, health management and clinical studies

Show More
Related

  • Stricter Concussion Protocol Should Be Required At All Levels Of Football

    1784 Words  | 4 Pages

    A concussion is defined as temporary unconsciousness caused by a blow to the head or a violent shock from a heavy blow. The force transmitted to the head causes the brain to hit the skull, which causes the brain to swell. The symptoms of a concussion can appear immediately after contact or they may subtle and may not appear right away. The symptoms of a concussion can vary in length. There are many different symptoms to a concussion: "Common symptoms after a concussive traumatic brain injury are headache, loss of memory (amnesia) and confusion" (Mayo). Other symptoms that may be involved with a concussion include loss of consciousness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, and fatigue. There are also symptoms that may not occur immediately, but may be delayed hours or days after. These symptoms include difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light, and sleep disturbances. An athlete should ...

    Read More

  • American Football: Technology and Regulation of Helmet Safety

    1969 Words  | 4 Pages

    Following behind motor vehicle crashes, traumatic brain injury in sports is the second leading cause of traumatic brain injuries for people fifth-teen to twenty-four years of age. Immense concerns follows given that American football accounts for the highest incidence of concussions (Rowson and Duma 2130). In addition, th...

    Read More

  • Impact of Concussions on NFL Players

    1757 Words  | 4 Pages

    Head trauma can lead to brain disorders and mental health issues. One in three former NFL players have had five or more concussions and three in four still suffer symptoms today (Jenkins and Maese, 6). A study shows that NFL football players who have sustained three or more concussions are five times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment- a condition connected to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s (Hadhazy, 1). NFL football players who were surveyed who had sustained three or more concussions were three times more likely to develop clinical depression compared to other players who had not suffered concussions (Hadhazy, 1). Nine in ten former NFL players reported suffering from concussions during their career, six in ten players reported having three or more concussions, and two in three of the former players who had concussions said they...

    Read More

  • What Can be Done to Help Prevent Concussions

    2270 Words  | 5 Pages

    Concussions are an injury to the brain caused by bump, or blow to the head or body. They can occur even when you haven’t even been knocked unconscious. Concussions can not be seen, but you can notice when someone has received one. (Center for Disease Control). The symptoms are Headaches, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, blurry vision, and memory problems or confusion. Also difficulty paying attention, bothered by lights or loud noises and feeling sluggish are sure symptoms of a concussion. (CDC 2). Even though concussions can’t be fully prevented, scientists are doing their best to find ways to decrease the amount of concussions that happen per year.

    Read More

  • Head Trauma In Athletes

    1049 Words  | 3 Pages

    A. Background In recent years, there has been an increase in research investigating the long-term effects of repeated head trauma on the brain, especially in athletes. Following his discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), Dr. Bennet Omalu inspired a movement of research aimed at establishing better safety standards and protocols in football. It was not until 2002 that the initial connection between repetitive head trauma, such as concussions, and brain injury was suspected (Ott, 2015). As common as concussions were during the late 1970s and 1980s, they were often swept under the rug, as they were seen as insignificant injuries.

    Read More

  • Concussions in Football

    1399 Words  | 3 Pages

    Not many sports are as physically demanding on the human body as football. The physical toll that football players pay is almost impossible to comprehend unless one has actually played the sport for a significant amount of time. However, until recently any connection between the hits taken by football players and their health down the road was largely ignored. A common, yet difficult injury to detect in football is a concussion, the most common traumatic brain injury (Pearce). A concussion is defined as “a brain injury that is caused by a sudden blow to the head or the body. The blow shakes the brain inside the skull, which temporarily prevents the brain from working normally” (Heiner pa.5). Reports and studies have surfaced shedding light on just how much damage is inflicted upon the brain due to crippling hits. These studies suggest that NFL athletes who received concussions suffered lasting damage to the brain, which opens the gate to a multitude of other health issues such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and clinical depression (Pearce). This is an aspect of the game that not many are aware of and it is a serous issue that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. There have been too many heartbreaking stories such as that of Justin Strzelcyk who heard voices and died in a crash while fleeing police or that of Andre Waters who shot himself in the head after struggles with depression (Zarda pa.1). Many current and former players are suffering in silence; this shouldn’t be the case. The National Football League needs to extend a hand to former players debilitated by head injuries. The problem of concussions and other head injuries in the NFL is one that needs to be tackled head on.

    Read More

  • Concussions In Sports

    1985 Words  | 4 Pages

    Through sports or through everyday life, concussions tend to happen. An estimated 300 000 sport-related traumatic brain injuries, predominantly concussions, occur annually in the United States. Sports are second only to motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of traumatic brain injury among people aged 15 to 24 years. (U.S National Library of Medicine). Coaches and parents often do not go through the right procedures or protocols when dealing with a teenager who has received a blow to the head. The usual questions that are asked when there is a head injury are, “what day is it, what’s the score, and how many fingers am I holding up?” Now these are not poor questions, but these questions alone cannot determine if a person has suffered a concussion. The correct method, which they are now implementing in most professional sports leagues, is for anyone with a head injury to take a legitimate concussion test performed by the team doctor. (WebbMD) At present the symptoms can be hit or miss. After receiving a concussion, research shows that an “estimated 80 to 90% of concussions heal spontaneously in the first 7 to 10 days”. (Barton Straus) But, it is important to remember not to return until all symptoms are

    Read More

  • What Is The Informative Speech About Concussions

    1121 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to The Mayo Clinic, “the most common symptoms of a concussion are headache or pressure in the head, confusion or feeling foggy, appearing dazed, fatigue and delayed response to questions.”

    Read More

  • Should Children Play Tackle Football?

    1412 Words  | 3 Pages

    Football is America’s favorite sport. It is a fast-paced, hard-hitting game. Every week thousands of men and boys all across the country take part in football and every week these men and boys receive violent hits during the game. Frequently, as a result of these violent hits, the player receives a concussion. However, the long-term effects of concussions on players are not fully understood. New research shows that even a slight concussion in a football game can have lasting effects on a player. As a result of this research, children under the age of fourteen should not play tackle football.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Concussions on Athletes

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    A concussion is a head injury that can have damaging effects on athletes of all sports and ages. Concussions are regularly caused by a hard hit to the head or body that causes the brain to shake inside the skull. While there is fluid within the skull to protect the brain, when an athlete is hit hard enough, the brain moves to the point of hitting the skull, causing a head injury otherwise known as a concussion (“Concussions”). Terry Adirim, a medical doctor who writes articles for Clinical Pediatrician Emergency Magazine, says that an individual may have many different symptoms after receiving a concussion. Symptoms can include headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and vomiting, but each of these symptoms do not necessarily happen with every concussion.

    Read More

  • Concussions And The Long-Term Effects And Concussions

    1315 Words  | 3 Pages

    "A concussion is a type of brain injury. It 's the most minor form. Technically, a concussion is ashore loss of brain function in response to a head injury” (Concussion). Concussions are the least severe of all brain injuries. In addition, a concussion is a temporary loss of brain function because of the impact to the head. This injury could happen anywhere all that would be needed is an impact to the head. More often than not, people think that concussion only happen in sports. However, these injuries could occur in real life situations such as: "A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), often sustained in sports, falls, motor vehicle accidents, assault, and other incidents. Concussion cannot be seen on CT or MRI scans, but it’s a very real brain injury” (Cornell). Concussions are a moderately traumatic brain injury. This injury often happens during sports, falling, and car accidents.

    Read More

  • Concussions In Football

    1397 Words  | 3 Pages

    Concussions are an injury that falls under the Traumatic Brain Injury category. A concussion occurs when a force causes the brain to rock back and forth inside the skull, and hit the interior walls of the skull. When this happens it can result in bruising on two parts of the brain, the Coup and the Countercoup. This may result in Loss of consciousness, confusion, headaches, nausea or vomiting, blurred vision, and loss of short-term memory. I know from experience the nausea and blurred vision. I noticed that during what I thought was a concussion though after the initial hits my ears would ring and give me very painful headaches.

    Read More

  • Concussion Theory

    881 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many theories regarding the mechanism of concussion but the precise mechanism is still not clear-cut. It is known that concussion is a clinical syndrome of neurological impairment that results from traumatic biomechanical forces transmitted to the brain that can occur either directly to the brain or indirectly to the brain. (5) To further explain the term concussion, it is important to know that it is a change in brain function following a force to the head, which may be accompanied by temporary loss of consciousness but is identified in conscious individuals with measures of neurologic and cognitive dysfunction. (6)

    Read More

  • Concussion Research Paper

    978 Words  | 2 Pages

    The majority of teens who had encounter a concussion are due to sports. A concussion is a pathophysiological process that impacts the brain, typically caused by a trauma to the brain. Concussions are mainly caused by bumps, falls which makes the head move rapidly back and forth, or by a jolt. The brain is a 3 pound organ floating inside the skull. It’s surrounded by a cerebrospinal fluid, which shocks when its impacted. When the brains starts to move rapidly inside the skull, a concussion has taken place. One common cause is a direct hit to the head. The force makes the brain hit the inside of the skull. When the brain starts to slow down, it hits the other side of the inner skull. The other common scenario is a rotational concussion. This happens when the brain rotates from one side to another. As a result, the brain tissues are strained and sheared. In both cases, fragile neural pathways can be damaged, creating neurological disruption. Scientists suggest if an athlete has already experienced a concussion before, they’re 1-2 times more likely to have a second; 2-4 to have a third; and 3-9 to have a fourth. Surprisingly, research has shown females are more likely to have a concussion, and experience more symptoms compared to males. In addition, women take longer to recover than men. Concussions have shortterm and longterm consequences, or in some cases death.

    Read More

  • Brain Injuries In Sports

    1192 Words  | 3 Pages

    In light of the recent fights I have seen in the boxing world, MMA and UFC, I decided to take a more in depth look into brain injuries in these types of sports. I see these sports as very dangerous ones and cannot even begin to comprehend how many people are willing to put their bodies through such torture. It has always been held that the brain is a very delicate and complex tissue of the body. From there departs all instructions that regulate the functions of the organism. More so it contains the chemical processes that make up our intelligence which in tail constitutes our personality. How can humans be so irrational as to develop a sport that consists in literally damaging the miracle organ that is the brain!

    Read More

More about Traumatic Brain Injury In Sports

Open Document