PLAINFIELD SOCCER ASSOCIATION

CONCUSSION INFORMTION

DEFINITION OF CONCUSSION

  • A concussion is an injury to the brain that results in a temporary loss of normal brain function. It usually is caused by a blow to the head. Cuts or bruises may be present on the head or face, but in many cases, there are no signs of trauma. Many people assume that concussions involve a loss of concussions, but that is untrue. In most cases, a person with a concussion never loses consciousness

CONCUSSIONS AND HEAD INJURIES

  • The brain normally floats inside the skull, cushioned gently by the surrounding spinal fluid. The brain consists of a gelatin-like substance and is vulnerable to outside trauma. The skull protects the brain against trauma, but does not absorb all the impact of a violent force.
  • An abrupt blow to the head, or even a rapid deceleration, can cause the brain to bounce against the inner wall of the skull. There is a potential for tearing of blood vessels, pulling the nerve fibers and bruising of the brain substance
  • Sometimes the blow can result in microscopic damage to the brain cells without obvious structural damage visible on a CT scan. In severe cases, the brain tissue can begin to swell. Since the brain cannot escape the rigid confines of the skull, severe swelling can compress the brain and its blood vessels, and limit the flow of blood. Without adequate blood flow, the brain does not receive the necessary flow of oxygen and glucose. A stroke can occur. Brain swelling after a concussion has potential to amplify the severity of the injury.
  • A blow to the head can cause a more serious initial injury to the brain. A contusion is a bruise of the brain involving bleeding and swelling in the brain. It can be thought of as a bruise of the brain.
  • A skull fracture occurs when the bone of the skull breaks. A skull fracture by itself may not necessarily be a serious injury. Sometimes, however, the broken skull bones cause bleeding or other damage by cutting into the brain or its coverings.
  • A hematoma is a blood clot that collects in or around the brain. If active bleeding persists, hematomas can rapidly enlarge. Like brain swelling, the increasing pressure within the rigid confines of the skull due to an enlarging blood clot can cause serious neurological problems and even be life-threatening. Some hematomas are surgical emergencies, hematomas are small sometimes can go undetected initially, but may cause symptoms and require treatment several days or weeks later. The warning signs of a serious brain injury are:
  1. Pain: constant or recurring headache
  2. Motor dysfunction: inability t control or coordinate motor functions, or disturbance with balance
  3. Sensory: changes in ability to hear, taste or see; dizziness, hypersensitivity to light or sound
  4. Cognitive: shortened attention span; easily distracted; over stimulated by environment, difficulty staying focused on a task, following directions or understanding information; feeling of disorientation, confusion and other neuropsychological deficiencies
  5. Speech: difficulty finding the “right” words; difficulty expressing words or thoughts, dysarthric speech

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IF ANY OF THESE WARNING SIGNS OCCUR

CONCUSSION IN SPORTS:

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A POSSIBLE CONCUSSION: To help recognize a concussion, you should watch for the following two things among your players:

  1. A forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that results in rapid movement of the head.
  2. Any change in the player’s behavior, thinking, or physical functioning.

Player’s who experience ANY of the signs and symptoms listed below after a bump, blow; or jolt to the head or body should be kept out of play the day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says they are symptom-free and it’s ok to return to play.

SIGNS OBSERVED BY COACHING STAFF

  1. APPEARS DAZED OR CONFUSED
  2. IS CONFUSED ABOUT ASSIGNMENT OR POSITION
  3. FORGETS AN INSTRUCTION
  4. IS UNSURE OF GAME, SCORE OR OPPONENT
  5. MOVES CLUMSILY
  6. ANSWERS QUESTIONS SLOWLY
  7. LOSSES CONSCIOUSNESS (EVEN BRIEFLY)
  8. SHOWS MOOD, BEHAVIOR OR PERSONALITY CHANGES
  9. CAN’T RECALL EVENTS PRIOR TO HIT OR FALL
  10. CAN’T RECALL EVENTS AFTER HIT OR FALL

SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY PLAYER

  1. HEADACHE OR “PRESSURE” IN THE HEAD
  2. NAUSEA OR VOMITTING
  3. BALANCE PROBLEMS OR DIZZINESS
  4. DOUBLE OR BLURRU VSION
  5. SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT
  6. SENSITIVITY TO NOISE
  7. FEELING SLUGGISH, HAZY, FOGGY OR GROGGY
  8. CONCENTRATION OR MEMORY PROBLEMS
  9. CONFUSION
  10. DOES NOT “FEEL RIGHT” OR IS “FEELING DOWN”

Remember, you can’t see a concussion and some athletes may not experience and/ or report symptoms until hours or days after the injury. Most people with a concussion will recover quickly and fully. But for some people, signs and symptoms of concussion can last for days, weeks or longer.

POSTCONCUSSIVE SYNDROME

  • People who suffer a head injury may suffer from side effects that persist for weeks or months. This is known as post concussive syndrome. Symptoms include memory and concentration problems, mood swings, personality changes, headache, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia and excessive drowsiness, People with postcuncussive syndrome should avoid activities that put them at risk for a repeated concussion. Player’s should not return to play while experiencing these symptoms. Player’s who suffer repeated concussions should consider ending participation in the sport.

SECOND-IMPACT SYNDROME

  • Second –impact syndrome results from acute, often fatal brain swelling that occurs when a second concussion is sustained before complete recovery from a previous concussion. This is thought to cause vascular congestion and increased intracranial pressure, which can occur very rapidly and may be difficult or impossible to control. The risk of second-impact syndrome is much higher in sports such as: boxing, football, ice or roller hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball and snow skiing.