Concussions in Sports: Causes, Symptoms, and Safety Tips

If you are into sports or follow professional sports teams, you probably know concussions are always a safety concern. Worse than cuts and wounds, concussions in sports are threatening injuries. Players in every game have more or fewer chances of falls, injuries, and collisions with other players.

A TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) or concussion occurs when a player gets a bump or blow to their head/body. One must remember that concussions include but are not limited to sports like football, hockey, rugby, or basketball. That is why following concussions safety for summer sports is of utmost importance.

Sports-related concussions are one of the most frequently reported injuries. When it comes to concussions and TBIs, the best way to maintain brain health is to prevent them from happening. That is because once brain damage occurs, there are few ways to reverse it. The patient becomes more susceptible to secondary injuries.

The Causes of Concussions

The brain has a gelatin-like structure and consistency. The presence of the cerebrospinal fluid is what saves it from mild bumps and hits. But the fluid is not powerful enough to withstand and protect the brain from violent blows. Therefore, such blows to your head, neck, or upper body can make the brain slide back and forth inside the skull. This sudden movement is caused by whatever events result in a brain injury.

Brain injury results in affecting brain function. It brings symptoms and signs of concussion. Consequently, internal bleeding might occur, leading to drowsiness and confusion.

As far as brain injury goes, internal bleeding is not a good sign. It can be fatal as well. That is why anyone experiencing a brain injury should go for emergency care.

Common Concussion Signs and Symptoms

Concussion signs and symptoms of concussions may not appear immediately after the injury. The symptoms can last for a few days to a few weeks. The most common symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury include headache, amnesia, and confusion. In some cases, the person might forget the event that caused the concussion.

Besides, these are some other symptoms on whose appearance one must rush to the doctor. They are –

• Constant dizziness
• Feeling sick like vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Saying incoherent things
• Facing difficulty in concentrating
• Feeling sleepy
• Unable to think or make decisions
• Feeling anxious/frustrated for no apparent reason
• Feeling sad/emotional more than usual

Safety Tips to Avoid Concussions in Sports

It is essential for everyone participating in sports to understand the risks of getting concussions while playing. So, they should follow the game’s rules, wear sports gear for safety and adhere to safety requirements.

Here are some essential tips every player should follow –

• Always wear protective equipment like helmets, mouthguards, headgears, protective collars, etc. Even simple steps like wearing properly fitted helmets or pairing them with custom baseball jerseys designed for comfort and protection can make a big difference in reducing injury risks.
• Stay hydrated when playing under the heat to avoid falling due to a blackout.
• Play smarter rather than harder to avoid unnecessary risks of getting hit.
• Never choose to play, even if you have a minor injury.

Wrapping Up

The first step to preventing and working on concussions safety for summer sports is awareness. One needs to be educated about the symptoms and signs to know when there are chances of concussion.