Why Concussion Screenings Are Game-Changers for Athletes

Concussions are common in contact sports. They can affect your brain, health, and performance. You need to recognize and treat them properly to prevent complications. Concussion screenings can help you do that. They are game-changers for athletes.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is an injury from a hit or jolt to the head, which shakes your brain inside your skull. It can damage your brain cells and disrupt your cognitive functions. With each successive concussion through a person’s life, their brain becomes more vulnerable to further such injury.

Concussion Symptoms

Concussions are invisible injuries, so you need to know the signs and symptoms. They include:

• Headache and/or head pressure

• Dizziness and/or balance problems

• Nausea and/or vomiting

• Fatigue and/or sleepiness

• Blurred and/or double vision

• Sensitivity to light and noise

• Trouble concentrating or remembering

• Mood swings

The Dangers of Untreated Concussions

Concussions can have serious consequences for anyone, not just athletes. If you do not treat them, they can get worse. If you get another concussion before you recover, you can damage your brain more. You can also increase your risk of chronic brain disease and cognitive problems. You need to follow concussion screening and management protocols to prevent these problems.

What Concussion Screening Entails

A complete concussion screening program for an athlete has four parts:

• Baseline testing: This tests your brain function and balance. It shows your normal baseline for comparison after an injury.
   

• Sideline screening: This tests the athlete’s orientation and cognition during games or practices. It checks if they have a concussion and need to stop playing.
   

• Follow-up evaluations: This tests for symptoms and brain function after an injury. It may use imaging tests too.
   

• Stepwise return to play: This increases the athlete’s physical activity gradually. It ensures they have no symptoms at each step. It prevents them from playing too soon before full recovery.

Concussion Screenings Protect Athletes

Concussion screenings help diagnose and manage concussions. They protect your health, safety, and well-being and help to avoid preventable risks. They also help you perform at your highest level.

Why Rest and Recovery Are Essential

After a concussion, you may feel fine. In fact, you may want to play again quickly. But you need to rest at least overnight, if not several days, post-concussion. If you play too soon, any further head injury will delay your recovery. Rest means limiting mental activities like screen use, schoolwork, video games, etc. Sleep is important too.

Gradual Return to Play

Recovering athletes begin with light aerobic activity like walking or stationary cycling. If no symptoms emerge over the following days, they gradually resume sports-specific activities like running drills and non-contact team practices. Full contact practice follows only if no symptoms recur. This stepwise progression back to competition ensures the brain is truly ready to handle demands and prevent repeat concussions. Rushing this process sabotages recovery.

Conclusion

All concussions are brain injuries requiring medical attention and management. Ignoring symptoms and failing to seek proper assessment and treatment can lead to life-altering neurological consequences. Protect athletes with comprehensive concussion screening programs focusing on their health first.

For more on information on concussion screenings, visit Korb & Associates at our office in Boston, Massachusetts. Call (617) 322-0534 to book an appointment today.