Concussion
A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury. A concussion occurs very commonly in soccer, but it is not the most serious brain injury. Many people tend to think that concussion leads to loss of consciousness, but that is not always the case. A player sustains a concussion when there is a direct impact on his head. The brain is cushioned by spinal fluid and protected by the skull. Although the skull absorbs impacts, a powerful blow to the head can cause the brain to be jolted, causing a concussion. There are 3 grades of concussion. In Grade 1, there is no loss of consciousness, and post-traumatic amnesia may either be absent or present, but only for less than 30 minutes. Recovery is a quick process, usually taking 1 week. In grade 2, the player losses consciousness for less than 5 minutes, and may have post traumatic amnesia for 30 minutes to 24 hours after suffering the injury. Like a grade 1 injury, healing takes place quickly, usually about 1 week. In grade 3, the player loses consciousness for more than 5 minutes, and has post traumatic amnesia for more than 24 hours.
A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury. A concussion occurs very commonly in soccer, but it is not the most serious brain injury. Many people tend to think that concussion leads to loss of consciousness, but that is not always the case. A player sustains a concussion when there is a direct impact on his head. The brain is cushioned by spinal fluid and protected by the skull. Although the skull absorbs impacts, a powerful blow to the head can cause the brain to be jolted, causing a concussion. There are 3 grades of concussion. In Grade 1, there is no loss of consciousness, and post-traumatic amnesia may either be absent or present, but only for less than 30 minutes. Recovery is a quick process, usually taking 1 week. In grade 2, the player losses consciousness for less than 5 minutes, and may have post traumatic amnesia for 30 minutes to 24 hours after suffering the injury. Like a grade 1 injury, healing takes place quickly, usually about 1 week. In grade 3, the player loses consciousness for more than 5 minutes, and has post traumatic amnesia for more than 24 hours.
webMD. (Jan 20, 2012). A visual guide to concussion and brain injuries. Retrieved http://www.webmd.com/brain/ss/slideshow-concussions-brain-injuries
Causes
1) Wrong heading technique
2) Player takes a blow from soccer ball on head while unprepared
3) Kicked on the head during a challenge
4) Clashed with another player while trying to head the ball
5) Head hits the goalpost, or the goalpost falls on head
1) Wrong heading technique
2) Player takes a blow from soccer ball on head while unprepared
3) Kicked on the head during a challenge
4) Clashed with another player while trying to head the ball
5) Head hits the goalpost, or the goalpost falls on head
Symptoms
1) Dizziness
2) Seeing stars
3) Headache
4) Swelling
5) Change in mood
6) Nausea
7) Loss of balance
8) Ringing sound in the ears
9) Confusion
10) Brief loss of consciousness
11) Sensitivity to light and sound
12) Clumsiness
13) Loss of memory (Both cases will improve after a few hours of sustaining injury)
· Retrograde amnesia- loss of memory of happenings before sustaining injury
· Anterograde amnesia- loss of memory of happenings after sustaining injury
1) Dizziness
2) Seeing stars
3) Headache
4) Swelling
5) Change in mood
6) Nausea
7) Loss of balance
8) Ringing sound in the ears
9) Confusion
10) Brief loss of consciousness
11) Sensitivity to light and sound
12) Clumsiness
13) Loss of memory (Both cases will improve after a few hours of sustaining injury)
· Retrograde amnesia- loss of memory of happenings before sustaining injury
· Anterograde amnesia- loss of memory of happenings after sustaining injury
Treatment (Only for very mild cases)
1) Rest. After sustaining a mild concussion, immediately stop play and rest. If the player resumes activity, he may receive a second concussion which may be fatal. Do not engage in any activities which put pressure on the head. The brain requires time to heal. Make sure that the symptoms completely disappear before engaging in normal activities (Not strenuous activities!). Only when the symptoms do not reappear, then can the player slowly increase the frequency and intensity of the activity.
2) Apply an icepack to reduce swelling and relief external pain. Apply for 20 minutes 3 times per day for up to 2 days after sustaining the injury.
1) Rest. After sustaining a mild concussion, immediately stop play and rest. If the player resumes activity, he may receive a second concussion which may be fatal. Do not engage in any activities which put pressure on the head. The brain requires time to heal. Make sure that the symptoms completely disappear before engaging in normal activities (Not strenuous activities!). Only when the symptoms do not reappear, then can the player slowly increase the frequency and intensity of the activity.
2) Apply an icepack to reduce swelling and relief external pain. Apply for 20 minutes 3 times per day for up to 2 days after sustaining the injury.
During this period, it is of extreme importance to have someone taking care of the injured player. If the player continues to suffer from symptoms like drowsiness, inability to speak, severe headache and loss of balance for long periods of time, immediately bring him to see the doctor.
Immediately call the ambulance if the player experiences one of the following symptoms. The injured player may be suffering from a more serious head injury which could be fatal.
· Suffers from a loss of consciousness after injury
· Suffers from seizures or fits
· Bleeds from his ears
· Unable to keep concentration, stay awake or looked in a daze and is unresponsive
Immediately call the ambulance if the player experiences one of the following symptoms. The injured player may be suffering from a more serious head injury which could be fatal.
· Suffers from a loss of consciousness after injury
· Suffers from seizures or fits
· Bleeds from his ears
· Unable to keep concentration, stay awake or looked in a daze and is unresponsive