pathoscribe

Written by Diya Desikan and Anoushka Pandya | Art by Anoushka Pandya

Concussions – we all have heard of them, but as a society, we downplay the gravity of the condition. Many are unaware of how damaging concussions can be and often overlook their repercussions. A concussion refers to a brain injury caused by a hit to the head. When a person is hit hard enough, their brain moves and rocks back and forth along with their head, consequently damaging the brain and its cells. 

Concussions generally result in a brief loss of regular brain functions or amnesia. Around 3 million concussions are reported annually in the United States. People suffering from concussions appear to be confused, disoriented, drunk, or dazed. They experience nausea, headaches, dizziness, higher sensitivity levels, and sensory problems along with other symptoms. In some cases, concussions can also result in post-concussive syndrome, in which people experience symptoms up to several months post-impact. In these cases, people should avoid any activities that can result in a concussion again. This includes athletes, who should refrain from playing while suffering from these symptoms. 

Concussions are described as “mild injuries,” but they can have more severe effects if they repeatedly occur. When a person undergoes a second concussion, the impact may result in brain swelling due to increased vascular blood flow and increased pressure in the skull. Too many concussions can also result in a condition called CTE, a degenerative disease that occurs in people who suffer multiple injuries to the head. The symptoms of CTE are similar to dementia or Alzheimer’s – memory loss, anger, suicidal thoughts, depression, dizziness, and even changes in the actual brain. There are no treatments for CTE.

CTE and concussions alike are more present in sports. In popular contact sports like football and wrestling, players are constantly subject to head injury. According to the Boston University CTE Center, 91.7% of the NFL players who underwent CTE study were proven to have the disease. In another CTE study, 1 of 160 persons had CTE – that one person was a former football player. In the National Football League, many concussions go unreported. People who have suffered head injuries, especially concussions, go back into the game, intensifying their health risks.

A concussion may seem mild and relatively innocuous, but everyone should know the consequences. If you see a teammate displaying concussion symptoms, make sure to get them out of the field and under supervision or care immediately. This applies outside of the field as well – always get affected people help. Refrain from injuring your head often, because multiple concussions can pose severe consequences.

Avoid drunk driving and wear your seatbelt at all times. When riding a bicycle or outdoor vehicle, wear a helmet to protect your head from falls. Do not take overly risky actions that may result in injury to the head, and take care of others who are showing symptoms of concussions.

Works Cited:

“What Is a Concussion?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Feb. 2019, www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_whatis.html.  

Agarwal, Nitin, et al. “Concussion – Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Safety Guidelines.” AANS, www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Concussion. 

 “Concussion Signs and Symptoms.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Feb. 2019, www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_symptoms.html.  

“Prevention.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 May 2021, www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/prevention.html. 

HealthDay. “In Autopsy Study, over 90% of Former NFL Players Showed Signs of Brain …” US News, 9 Feb. 2023, www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-02-09/in-autopsy-study-over-90-of-former-nfl-players-showed-signs-of-brain-disease-cte.