Re: Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

[Guest guest]

Dr. G,

 

Good article. I would like to relate a personal story. My son back in Jr. High

sustained a concussion. I took him to the emergency room about a thirty minute

drive and he was having a problem talking and stuff of that nature, obviously

concussed. The Dr. at the emergency room did all of his tests and agreed it was

a concussion and said that he should be fine and he could play in the game the

next week. We allowed him to play and there were no problems. However, the

following week (2 weeks after the first concussion) He played in a game and was

tackled out of bounds and hit his head and did not even recognize his mother. We

took him to the Dr. I believe a Neurologist and he said that he should never

have played that soon after having a concussion, and we would definitely not

have allowed him to play if the first Dr. had told us not to play him. So there

needs to be some standard protocol for all Dr's from what I saw. Just passing

this on for information

purposes.

 

Thanks,

Rex Icard

Albany, GA. USA

From: Ralph Giarnella <ragiarn@...>

Subject: Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

Supertraining

Date: Monday, January 18, 2010, 11:58 AM

 

This pertains to a recent discussion.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

By Reinberg

HealthDay Reporter by Reinberg

healthday Reporter 2 hrs 53 mins ago

http://news. / s/hsn/20100118/ hl_hsn/parentsno ttakingconcussio

nsseriouslyenoug h

MONDAY, Jan. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Children who suffer a concussion don't just

have a minor head bump, but a brain injury that parents, coaches and teachers

need to take more seriously, Canadian researchers warn.

Parents often believe that concussion injury is mild and doesn't involve damage

to the brain, said lead researcher Dr. Carol DeMatteo, an associate clinical

professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University, in

Hamilton, Ontario.

However, " concussion really is a brain injury -- there's no question about

that, " she said.

" The term concussion is used frequently, but there are no real guidelines in

using it with children, " DeMatteo said. " This means that many different types of

injury of different severity can be called a concussion. This leads to

misconceptions by families and coaches and teachers and children themselves. "

Instead of using the word " concussion, " these injuries should be called mild

brain injuries and that may help these children get the care they need, DeMatteo

added. " We only have one brain, so let's help kids look after theirs. "

The report is published in the Jan. 18 online edition of Pediatrics.

For the study, DeMatteo's group reviewed the medical records of 434 children

seen at McMaster Children's Hospital for a brain injury. About a third (32

percent) were diagnosed with concussion.

The researchers found that, compared with other brain injuries, children

diagnosed with concussion spent less time in the hospital and fewer days out of

school. They were also more likely to go back to school shortly after leaving

the hospital.

If children go back to school or sports too soon after a concussion they are at

an increased risk of having another head injury, DeMatteo noted. " Kids are twice

as likely to have another head injury within a year if they have [already] had

one, " she said.

DeMatteo believes that children should see a doctor if they are showing signs of

a concussion, such as fatigue, headache, memory problems, disturbed sleep or

mood changes.

These symptoms can affect school performance, and returning too soon to sports

can increase the risk for another injury, she said.

Most importantly, having a subsequent head injury can boost the odds of doing

permanent damage to the brain, DeMatteo noted.

Gillian Hotz, director of the Pediatric Neurotrauma Program at the University of

Miami School of Medicine, said parents are often relieved to hear that

their child has " only " suffered a concussion.

But concussion is only a catch-all term for a spectrum of non-structural brain

injury, Hotz said. " Most kids who have a concussion, rest -- the headache goes

away, the symptoms go away, and they're fine, " she said.

" But, you have to be very careful, " Hotz said. " If there is damage on a CT

[scan] or prolonged unconsciousness then it's in another category, not a

concussion. "

Concussions do need to be taken seriously, and injured children need to be seen

by doctors before they are allowed to return to school or sports, Hotz said.

" If a kid goes down and has symptoms during a game they are pulled. They need to

be cleared by a medical professional before they return to play, and not that

game, " she said.

" Concussions are cumulative so we are going to have a lot more severely injured

kids if we don't start putting some of these policies into place, " Hotz said.

[Guest guest]

I think and I know this to be a general statement, but given my experience with

that high school football team not long ago, I think parents are taking ALL

injury too lightly - and the need for rest/restoration of athletes, proper form,

and all that goes with a long and reasonably uninjured career completely for

granted, solely by having a coach of any type.

They had more worry that the kid would " get injured lifting weights " than on the

field - yet we went through 7 starting quarterbacks one season - and no position

was immune. Kids limped the halls in casts.... and nobody got injured in the

weight room. Even with a good 30 or so competing at several powerlifting meets

and pushing to max singles, we didn't have 1 injury. Playing football, lacrosse,

and soccer and track were responsible for the injuries, the breakdowns, and

other cessation of activity - even 1 got maimed jumping over a cheerleader at a

pep rally! (ok he recovered but a full leg cast through his football

season...sigh). Winning at any cost.

A client of mine has 2 small boys - and the youngest at 5 is already under

pressure to join full contact football. They have said that if he does not start

playing NOW he will be destined to be 'behind the other boys and ride the bench'

all the way - and never have a shot at more. What sort of pressure is this to

put parents and kids under at such an age!

The idea that girls are less capable of injury or vicious behavior may have been

dispelled at least in soccer after that video surfaced of the college girl

headhunting other competitors - but the idea that not wearing pads or helmets

" makes it a safe sport " should be ashbined.

The Phantom

aka Schaefer, RMT/CMT, competing powerlifter

Denver, Colorado, USA

Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

This pertains to a recent discussion.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

By Reinberg

HealthDay Reporter by Reinberg

healthday Reporter 2 hrs 53 mins ago

http://news./s/hsn/20100118/hl_hsn/parentsnottakingconcussionsseriously\

enough

MONDAY, Jan. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Children who suffer a concussion don't just

have a minor head bump, but a brain injury that parents, coaches and teachers

need to take more seriously, Canadian researchers warn.

Parents often believe that concussion injury is mild and doesn't involve damage

to the brain, said lead researcher Dr. Carol DeMatteo, an associate clinical

professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University, in

Hamilton, Ontario.

However, " concussion really is a brain injury -- there's no question about

that, " she said.

" The term concussion is used frequently, but there are no real guidelines in

using it with children, " DeMatteo said. " This means that many different types of

injury of different severity can be called a concussion. This leads to

misconceptions by families and coaches and teachers and children themselves. "

Instead of using the word " concussion, " these injuries should be called mild

brain injuries and that may help these children get the care they need, DeMatteo

added. " We only have one brain, so let's help kids look after theirs. "

The report is published in the Jan. 18 online edition of Pediatrics.

For the study, DeMatteo's group reviewed the medical records of 434 children

seen at McMaster Children's Hospital for a brain injury. About a third (32

percent) were diagnosed with concussion.

The researchers found that, compared with other brain injuries, children

diagnosed with concussion spent less time in the hospital and fewer days out of

school. They were also more likely to go back to school shortly after leaving

the hospital.

If children go back to school or sports too soon after a concussion they are at

an increased risk of having another head injury, DeMatteo noted. " Kids are twice

as likely to have another head injury within a year if they have [already] had

one, " she said.

DeMatteo believes that children should see a doctor if they are showing signs of

a concussion, such as fatigue, headache, memory problems, disturbed sleep or

mood changes.

These symptoms can affect school performance, and returning too soon to sports

can increase the risk for another injury, she said.

Most importantly, having a subsequent head injury can boost the odds of doing

permanent damage to the brain, DeMatteo noted.

Gillian Hotz, director of the Pediatric Neurotrauma Program at the University of

Miami School of Medicine, said parents are often relieved to hear that

their child has " only " suffered a concussion.

But concussion is only a catch-all term for a spectrum of non-structural brain

injury, Hotz said. " Most kids who have a concussion, rest -- the headache goes

away, the symptoms go away, and they're fine, " she said.

" But, you have to be very careful, " Hotz said. " If there is damage on a CT

[scan] or prolonged unconsciousness then it's in another category, not a

concussion. "

Concussions do need to be taken seriously, and injured children need to be seen

by doctors before they are allowed to return to school or sports, Hotz said.

" If a kid goes down and has symptoms during a game they are pulled. They need to

be cleared by a medical professional before they return to play, and not that

game, " she said.

" Concussions are cumulative so we are going to have a lot more severely injured

kids if we don't start putting some of these policies into place, " Hotz said.

[Guest guest]

Rex, I appreciate your response and I am not totally surprised by your

experience.

I would like to make several comments with regards this topic.

As a physician I was totally ignorant as to the long term consequences of

concussions until my son had a concussion playing as a goalie in soccer- during

an incident in front of the goal he dove for the ball and apparently was

inadvertently kicked in the head at some time during the game. No one was aware

of what happened. He did not pass out and got up and played the rest of the

game. His condition was similar to what your son experienced. We became aware

after the game when he appeared confused in the car on the way home. I had him

seen by a Neurologist who kept him out of the game and practice- I don't recall

how long he was out.

This incident prompted me to became somewhat of an expert as to the general

guidelines on treating concussion and follow up problems. This happened 15-16

years ago.

The amount of medical knowledge available is overwhelming and none of us know

all there is to know with regards to medicine. The ER doc knows a lot about

emergency medicine and deals on a daily basis with a lot of situations that I

have rarely come across and I am sure a lot that I have never seen. Sports

medicine is usually not something they are well versed in.

He probably should have referred your son back to your primary care physician or

a neurologist.

It is my hope that with all the press and attention concussions in the NFL are

receiving the information will trickle down to the coaches, parents and the rest

of medical community.

Just this past year I had to recommend that one of my patients not play his

senior year of varsity football because he had his 3rd concussion. I sent him

to a neurologist who basically told him the same thing.

My son eventually had a second concussion playing soccer in high school. His

third occurred while driving on an icy road - his jeep spun around and he hit is

head on the seats head rest. No bruises. He was seen by the neurologist and had

to give up playing goalie on his college team.

Each concussion causes some damage to the brain and makes it more vulnerable to

another concussion. The cause of my son's third concussion was nowhere as

violent as being kicked in the head the first time.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

________________________________

From: rex icard <rex_icard@...>

Supertraining

Sent: Mon, January 18, 2010 4:56:24 PM

Subject: Re: Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

Dr. G,

Good article. I would like to relate a personal story. My son back in Jr. High

sustained a concussion. I took him to the emergency room about a thirty minute

drive and he was having a problem talking and stuff of that nature, obviously

concussed. The Dr. at the emergency room did all of his tests and agreed it was

a concussion and said that he should be fine and he could play in the game the

next week. We allowed him to play and there were no problems. However, the

following week (2 weeks after the first concussion) He played in a game and was

tackled out of bounds and hit his head and did not even recognize his mother. We

took him to the Dr. I believe a Neurologist and he said that he should never

have played that soon after having a concussion, and we would definitely not

have allowed him to play if the first Dr. had told us not to play him. So there

needs to be some standard protocol for all Dr's from what I saw. Just passing

this on for information

purposes.

Thanks,

Rex Icard

Albany, GA. USA

From: Ralph Giarnella <ragiarn (DOT) com>

Subject: Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

Supertraining

Date: Monday, January 18, 2010, 11:58 AM

This pertains to a recent discussion.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

By Reinberg

HealthDay Reporter by Reinberg

healthday Reporter 2 hrs 53 mins ago

http://news. / s/hsn/20100118/ hl_hsn/parentsno ttakingconcussio

nsseriouslyenoug h

MONDAY, Jan. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Children who suffer a concussion don't just

have a minor head bump, but a brain injury that parents, coaches and teachers

need to take more seriously, Canadian researchers warn.

Parents often believe that concussion injury is mild and doesn't involve damage

to the brain, said lead researcher Dr. Carol DeMatteo, an associate clinical

professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University, in

Hamilton, Ontario.

However, " concussion really is a brain injury -- there's no question about

that, " she said.

" The term concussion is used frequently, but there are no real guidelines in

using it with children, " DeMatteo said. " This means that many different types of

injury of different severity can be called a concussion. This leads to

misconceptions by families and coaches and teachers and children themselves. "

Instead of using the word " concussion, " these injuries should be called mild

brain injuries and that may help these children get the care they need, DeMatteo

added. " We only have one brain, so let's help kids look after theirs. "

The report is published in the Jan. 18 online edition of Pediatrics.

For the study, DeMatteo's group reviewed the medical records of 434 children

seen at McMaster Children's Hospital for a brain injury. About a third (32

percent) were diagnosed with concussion.

The researchers found that, compared with other brain injuries, children

diagnosed with concussion spent less time in the hospital and fewer days out of

school. They were also more likely to go back to school shortly after leaving

the hospital.

If children go back to school or sports too soon after a concussion they are at

an increased risk of having another head injury, DeMatteo noted. " Kids are twice

as likely to have another head injury within a year if they have [already] had

one, " she said.

DeMatteo believes that children should see a doctor if they are showing signs of

a concussion, such as fatigue, headache, memory problems, disturbed sleep or

mood changes.

These symptoms can affect school performance, and returning too soon to sports

can increase the risk for another injury, she said.

Most importantly, having a subsequent head injury can boost the odds of doing

permanent damage to the brain, DeMatteo noted.

Gillian Hotz, director of the Pediatric Neurotrauma Program at the University of

Miami School of Medicine, said parents are often relieved to hear that

their child has " only " suffered a concussion.

But concussion is only a catch-all term for a spectrum of non-structural brain

injury, Hotz said. " Most kids who have a concussion, rest -- the headache goes

away, the symptoms go away, and they're fine, " she said.

" But, you have to be very careful, " Hotz said. " If there is damage on a CT

[scan] or prolonged unconsciousness then it's in another category, not a

concussion. "

Concussions do need to be taken seriously, and injured children need to be seen

by doctors before they are allowed to return to school or sports, Hotz said.

" If a kid goes down and has symptoms during a game they are pulled. They need to

be cleared by a medical professional before they return to play, and not that

game, " she said.

" Concussions are cumulative so we are going to have a lot more severely injured

kids if we don't start putting some of these policies into place, " Hotz said.

[Guest guest]

Relevant to the current discussion:

The New York state association in charge of high school sports(NYSPHSAA) has

made mild brain injury and concussions a point of emphasis over the last several

years.  Recently they have come up with an instrument that the athletic trainer

or coach on site can send with the student-athlete to the physician, it has a

checklist for initial signs and symptoms for the person at the scene to fill

out, the back has another checklist for the attending physician to fill out. 

One great feature of this paper is that it contains an area for the follow up

physician to fill out when the athlete is ready to return to play.  It requires

a follow up, so that instances of " take one week off " can be eliminated.  As we

know, one week may not be enough if the athlete is still displaying symptoms.

 

The sheet can be viewed here:

http://www.keepyourheadinthegame.org/prints.html

 

I have used this instrument and it has definitely saved athletes from being

released too soon. 

 

Mark , MS, ATC, CSCS

Head Athletic Trainer, East Syracuse-Minoa HS

Syracuse, NY

From: Ralph Giarnella <ragiarn@...>

Subject: Re: Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

Supertraining

Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 2:19 PM

 

Rex, I appreciate your response and I am not totally surprised by your

experience.

I would like to make several comments with regards this topic.

As a physician I was totally ignorant as to the long term consequences of

concussions until my son had a concussion playing as a goalie in soccer- during

an incident in front of the goal he dove for the ball and apparently was

inadvertently kicked in the head at some time during the game. No one was aware

of what happened. He did not pass out and got up and played the rest of the

game. His condition was similar to what your son experienced. We became aware

after the game when he appeared confused in the car on the way home. I had him

seen by a Neurologist who kept him out of the game and practice- I don't recall

how long he was out.

This incident prompted me to became somewhat of an expert as to the general

guidelines on treating concussion and follow up problems. This happened 15-16

years ago.

The amount of medical knowledge available is overwhelming and none of us know

all there is to know with regards to medicine. The ER doc knows a lot about

emergency medicine and deals on a daily basis with a lot of situations that I

have rarely come across and I am sure a lot that I have never seen. Sports

medicine is usually not something they are well versed in.

He probably should have referred your son back to your primary care physician or

a neurologist.

It is my hope that with all the press and attention concussions in the NFL are

receiving the information will trickle down to the coaches, parents and the rest

of medical community.

Just this past year I had to recommend that one of my patients not play his

senior year of varsity football because he had his 3rd concussion. I sent him to

a neurologist who basically told him the same thing.

My son eventually had a second concussion playing soccer in high school. His

third occurred while driving on an icy road - his jeep spun around and he hit is

head on the seats head rest. No bruises. He was seen by the neurologist and had

to give up playing goalie on his college team.

Each concussion causes some damage to the brain and makes it more vulnerable to

another concussion. The cause of my son's third concussion was nowhere as

violent as being kicked in the head the first time.

==========================

[Guest guest]

I think the problem with high school sports in general is that all too

often the coaches (not all coaches) are more interested in a winning record than

they are in the welfare of the student/athlete. The parents are all to often

more concerned about their child making the team. Their is too much man up and

fight through the pain. They treat the young athletes as if they were

professionals. I have dealth with some coaches who do not have the slightest

concept of exercise physiology, muscular adaptation etc. Hell week is a recipe

for disaster for the young athlete who is poorly conditioned before the training

begins.

Every mother and father thinks that their awkward child is the next NFL

superstar, if only he works hard enough..

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

________________________________

From: " deadliftdiva@... " <deadliftdiva@...>

Supertraining

Sent: Mon, January 18, 2010 5:12:27 PM

Subject: Re: Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

I think and I know this to be a general statement, but given my experience with

that high school football team not long ago, I think parents are taking ALL

injury too lightly - and the need for rest/restoration of athletes, proper form,

and all that goes with a long and reasonably uninjured career completely for

granted, solely by having a coach of any type.

They had more worry that the kid would " get injured lifting weights " than on the

field - yet we went through 7 starting quarterbacks one season - and no position

was immune. Kids limped the halls in casts.... and nobody got injured in the

weight room. Even with a good 30 or so competing at several powerlifting meets

and pushing to max singles, we didn't have 1 injury. Playing football, lacrosse,

and soccer and track were responsible for the injuries, the breakdowns, and

other cessation of activity - even 1 got maimed jumping over a cheerleader at a

pep rally! (ok he recovered but a full leg cast through his football

season...sigh) . Winning at any cost.

A client of mine has 2 small boys - and the youngest at 5 is already under

pressure to join full contact football. They have said that if he does not start

playing NOW he will be destined to be 'behind the other boys and ride the bench'

all the way - and never have a shot at more. What sort of pressure is this to

put parents and kids under at such an age!

The idea that girls are less capable of injury or vicious behavior may have been

dispelled at least in soccer after that video surfaced of the college girl

headhunting other competitors - but the idea that not wearing pads or helmets

" makes it a safe sport " should be ashbined.

The Phantom

aka Schaefer, RMT/CMT, competing powerlifter

Denver, Colorado, USA

Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

This pertains to a recent discussion.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

By Reinberg

HealthDay Reporter by Reinberg

healthday Reporter 2 hrs 53 mins ago

http://news. / s/hsn/20100118/ hl_hsn/parentsno ttakingconcussio

nsseriouslyenoug h

MONDAY, Jan. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Children who suffer a concussion don't just

have a minor head bump, but a brain injury that parents, coaches and teachers

need to take more seriously, Canadian researchers warn.

Parents often believe that concussion injury is mild and doesn't involve damage

to the brain, said lead researcher Dr. Carol DeMatteo, an associate clinical

professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University, in

Hamilton, Ontario.

However, " concussion really is a brain injury -- there's no question about

that, " she said.

" The term concussion is used frequently, but there are no real guidelines in

using it with children, " DeMatteo said. " This means that many different types of

injury of different severity can be called a concussion. This leads to

misconceptions by families and coaches and teachers and children themselves. "

Instead of using the word " concussion, " these injuries should be called mild

brain injuries and that may help these children get the care they need, DeMatteo

added. " We only have one brain, so let's help kids look after theirs. "

The report is published in the Jan. 18 online edition of Pediatrics.

For the study, DeMatteo's group reviewed the medical records of 434 children

seen at McMaster Children's Hospital for a brain injury. About a third (32

percent) were diagnosed with concussion.

The researchers found that, compared with other brain injuries, children

diagnosed with concussion spent less time in the hospital and fewer days out of

school. They were also more likely to go back to school shortly after leaving

the hospital.

If children go back to school or sports too soon after a concussion they are at

an increased risk of having another head injury, DeMatteo noted. " Kids are twice

as likely to have another head injury within a year if they have [already] had

one, " she said.

DeMatteo believes that children should see a doctor if they are showing signs of

a concussion, such as fatigue, headache, memory problems, disturbed sleep or

mood changes.

These symptoms can affect school performance, and returning too soon to sports

can increase the risk for another injury, she said.

Most importantly, having a subsequent head injury can boost the odds of doing

permanent damage to the brain, DeMatteo noted.

Gillian Hotz, director of the Pediatric Neurotrauma Program at the University of

Miami School of Medicine, said parents are often relieved to hear that

their child has " only " suffered a concussion.

But concussion is only a catch-all term for a spectrum of non-structural brain

injury, Hotz said. " Most kids who have a concussion, rest -- the headache goes

away, the symptoms go away, and they're fine, " she said.

" But, you have to be very careful, " Hotz said. " If there is damage on a CT

[scan] or prolonged unconsciousness then it's in another category, not a

concussion. "

Concussions do need to be taken seriously, and injured children need to be seen

by doctors before they are allowed to return to school or sports, Hotz said.

" If a kid goes down and has symptoms during a game they are pulled. They need to

be cleared by a medical professional before they return to play, and not that

game, " she said.

" Concussions are cumulative so we are going to have a lot more severely injured

kids if we don't start putting some of these policies into place, " Hotz said.

[Guest guest]

Sigh. I have to say this too, although I hate seeing it in writing...

I believe they also see the child as their potential MEAL TICKET FOR LIFE. They

hope against the odds junior will be the NFL player, Olympic champion, or what

have you - and they can live off the child. They see parents happily riding on

the financial success of an athlete child.

Conversely, almost nobody expects to ride the success of an academic child? At

least, not many?

But it's yet another reason a good many parents are the child's worst enemy to

your surprise when you work with them - the concealment of an injury when scouts

are due, and other deceptions - parents can attack the coach or trainer or doc

through HIPAA if they feel that any " damaging " information has been disclosed...

The very jobs of the professionals helping children in athletics and recovery

from injury can be complicated tremendously by the parents and their

expectations... and again, the whole deal with giving " tests " for heart

conditions and other medical 'screenings' ahead of giving out scholarships in

college, this makes you wonder whether a lot of colleges can 'afford' the side

fallout from doing these tests, in light of parents and our lovely litigious

society at large?

The welfare of our child athletes is in question well before they arrive on the

NCAA or professional stages.

Good topic. I have passed the information regarding concussions on to my client

and I hope he can successfully transit the expectations of athletic success for

the children and protection of their long term health.

The Phantom

aka Schaefer, CMT/RMT, competing powerlifter

Denver, Colorado, USA

Re: Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

I think the problem with high school sports in general is that all too

often the coaches (not all coaches) are more interested in a winning record than

they are in the welfare of the student/athlete. The parents are all to often

more concerned about their child making the team. Their is too much man up and

fight through the pain. They treat the young athletes as if they were

professionals. I have dealth with some coaches who do not have the slightest

concept of exercise physiology, muscular adaptation etc. Hell week is a recipe

for disaster for the young athlete who is poorly conditioned before the training

begins.

Every mother and father thinks that their awkward child is the next NFL

superstar, if only he works hard enough..

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

=======================

[Guest guest]

The below documents may be relevant:

http://www.ostrc.no/upload/Nyheter/dokumenter/SCAT%202.pdf

http://www.ostrc.no/upload/Nyheter/dokumenter/Pocket%20SCAT%202.pdf

http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/vol43/Suppl_1/

http://www.ostrc.no/upload/Publication/McCrory_2009_BJSM_3rd%20consensus%20state\

ment%20on%20concussions%20in%20sport.pdf

http://www.ostrc.no/upload/Nyheter/dokumenter/Concussion%20in%20Sport,%203rd%20I\

nternational%20Conference%20on%20Concussion%20in%20Sports%202009.pdf

=====================

Carruthers

Wakefield, UK

>

> This pertains to a recent discussion.

>

> Ralph Giarnella MD

> Southington Ct USA

>

> Parents Not Taking Concussions Seriously Enough

> By Reinberg

> HealthDay Reporter by Reinberg

> healthday Reporter 2 hrs 53 mins ago

>

>

http://news./s/hsn/20100118/hl_hsn/parentsnottakingconcussionsseriously\

enough

>

> MONDAY, Jan. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Children who suffer a concussion don't

just have a minor head bump, but a brain injury that parents, coaches and

teachers need to take more seriously, Canadian researchers warn.

>

> Parents often believe that concussion injury is mild and doesn't involve

damage to the brain, said lead researcher Dr. Carol DeMatteo, an associate

clinical professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster

University, in Hamilton, Ontario.

>

> However, " concussion really is a brain injury -- there's no question about

that, " she said.

>

> " The term concussion is used frequently, but there are no real guidelines in

using it with children, " DeMatteo said. " This means that many different types of

injury of different severity can be called a concussion. This leads to

misconceptions by families and coaches and teachers and children themselves. "

>

> Instead of using the word " concussion, " these injuries should be called mild

brain injuries and that may help these children get the care they need, DeMatteo

added. " We only have one brain, so let's help kids look after theirs. "

>

> The report is published in the Jan. 18 online edition of Pediatrics.

>

> For the study, DeMatteo's group reviewed the medical records of 434 children

seen at McMaster Children's Hospital for a brain injury. About a third (32

percent) were diagnosed with concussion.

>

> The researchers found that, compared with other brain injuries, children

diagnosed with concussion spent less time in the hospital and fewer days out of

school. They were also more likely to go back to school shortly after leaving

the hospital.

>

> If children go back to school or sports too soon after a concussion they are

at an increased risk of having another head injury, DeMatteo noted. " Kids are

twice as likely to have another head injury within a year if they have [already]

had one, " she said.

>

> DeMatteo believes that children should see a doctor if they are showing signs

of a concussion, such as fatigue, headache, memory problems, disturbed sleep or

mood changes.

>

> These symptoms can affect school performance, and returning too soon to sports

can increase the risk for another injury, she said.

>

> Most importantly, having a subsequent head injury can boost the odds of doing

permanent damage to the brain, DeMatteo noted.

>

> Gillian Hotz, director of the Pediatric Neurotrauma Program at the University

of Miami School of Medicine, said parents are often relieved to hear that

their child has " only " suffered a concussion.

>

> But concussion is only a catch-all term for a spectrum of non-structural brain

injury, Hotz said. " Most kids who have a concussion, rest -- the headache goes

away, the symptoms go away, and they're fine, " she said.

>

> " But, you have to be very careful, " Hotz said. " If there is damage on a CT

[scan] or prolonged unconsciousness then it's in another category, not a

concussion. "

>

> Concussions do need to be taken seriously, and injured children need to be

seen by doctors before they are allowed to return to school or sports, Hotz

said.

>

> " If a kid goes down and has symptoms during a game they are pulled. They need

to be cleared by a medical professional before they return to play, and not that

game, " she said.

>

> " Concussions are cumulative so we are going to have a lot more severely

injured kids if we don't start putting some of these policies into place, " Hotz

said.

>

>