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Kitsap Youth Sports
Kitsap Youth Sports
CONCUSSIONS
Recognition & Management
THE
FACTS
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)
Concussions occur when the brain is hit against the inside of the skull
You don't need to be hit in the head to have a concussion
Concussions cause changes at the cellular level - they do not show changes on MRI or CT scan
1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur in sports & recreation every year
Concussions tend to take longer to resolve in youth athletes than in adults
Youth Athletes typically require a longer return to play progression
Many athletes do not report their symptoms - It is important for parents and coaches to recognize the signs and respond appropriately
Symptoms may appear immediately, or can take hours or days to appear
Signs & Symptoms*
What you may observe in the athlete:
Slow to respond/answer questions
Loss of consciousness
Moody
Changes in personality
Clumsiness
Appears dazed or stunned
Forgetful
Confusion
May forget plays or position on field
What the athlete might feel/reports:
Headache
Pressure in head
Neck pain
Nausea
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Balance problems
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to noise
Feeling slowed down
Feeling as though "in a fog"
Just "don't feel right"
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty remembering
Fatigue
Confusion
Drowsiness
Trouble falling asleep
More or less emotional than normal
Irritability
Sadness
Nervous/anxious
* Do not need to show all of these signs/symptoms to be concussed
RECOGNITION
Recognition
MANAGEMENT
Always err on the side of caution
IF IN DOUBT - SIT THEM OUT
If you suspect an athlete has a concussion, they should not be returned to play until cleared by a qualified healthcare professional (someone trained in concussion management). This follows the Zackery Lystedt Law.
Once an athlete is cleared by a healthcare professional, they should be provided with and follow a gradual return to play protocol.
Many concussed athletes struggle with going to school or doing classwork while symptomatic. The healthcare professionals, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and athlete should work together to plan accommodations as necessary.
Seek emergency medical care for any of the following:
Decreasing level of consciousness
Increasing confusion
Numbness in arms or legs
Unequal pupils
Vomiting
Seizures
Slurred speech or inability to speak
Inability to recognize people or places
Worsening headache
Management
This condition occurs when a second "impact" or injury occurs to the brain before it has fully healed from a previous concussive event.
This condition causes rapid and catastrophic swelling in the brain.
Death can occur within minutes from the second injury.
This is the reason many states have developed laws on returning to play after a suspected concussion or concussive event - Washington State has developed the Zackery Lystedt Law.
Click HERE for a video about Zackery Lystedt's experience with second impact syndrome.
SECOND IMPACT
SYNDROME
Second Impact
BASELINE
TESTING
The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing application (ImPACT test) is a neurocognitive test that healthcare providers utilize to aide in evaluation and management of concussions.
This test is completed online under the supervision of a healthcare professional trained in the ImPACT testing.
ImPACT is supported by clinical research.
Recommend getting a baseline test for any youth athlete.
If your athlete suffers a concussion, the healthcare provider can compare their post-concussive scores to their baseline scores.
Provides a customized management plan for your athlete.
ImPACT testing is used with over 200 professional sports teams, including the NFL, NHL and MLS.
If you are interested in having your athlete or their team baseline tested, contact us for more information.
Baseline
The facts
Bey, T., & Ostick, B. (2009). Second Impact Syndrome. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 10(1), 6–10.
(n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2017, from https://www.impacttest.com/about/
SCAT3. Br J Sports Med 2013;47:259.
Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion. (2016, January 22). Retrieved August 21, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/basics.html
Zachary Lystedt's Story. (2016, July 19). Retrieved August 21, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyxVqL7nAZ4
REFERENCES
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