Many parents are excited and often involve their kids in extracurricular activities. One of the most popular — especially for young men — is sports. However, what we know now about the game many of us love and grew up playing, is that it may be more hazardous than once realized. Although many leagues from the high school level to the NFL have become more aware of the risk associated with the sport of football, parents also need to be aware of the risk of concussions.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that typically happens when the head either spins rapidly or accelerates quickly and then stops. A concussion injury can result in severe memory loss, confusion, nausea, blurred vision and long-term neurological effects, including symptoms of dementia, headaches and concentration problems.
The NFL has reported that 50 percent of the players who sustain concussions during a game, return to play in the same game. A 2000 study of 1,090 former NFL players concluded that more than 60 percent had suffered at least one concussion during their career. If this is the case for pros, just imagine what the rates may be in high schools and youth leagues. In 2009, another NFL-commissioned study revealed that former NFL players have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory problems 19 times more frequently than the normal rate for men between 30 and 49.
Research by Robert Stern, associate professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine and co-director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTSE), suggests that head trauma and repeated concussions can do lasting damage. CTSE’s findings were based on examinations performed on the brains of former NFL athletes, including Andre Waters. Waters, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals from 1984-1995, had brain damage due to suffering multiple concussions during his NFL career. He committed suicide in November 2006 at age 44. CTSE researchers observed that Waters’ brain tissue resembled that of an 85-year-old or an early Alzheimer’s patient, and they attribute that damage to his reported depression prior to his suicide.
If your child plays any contact sport, be vigilant about mood or personality changes. In addition, be proactive and find out what the league or school or district policy is for handling concussions and do not assume your school has access to athletic trainers. If you suspect your child has sustained a concussion, see a physician immediately. –torrance stephens, ph.d.
