(Photo courtesy of Integrated Eyecare)
An MRI is the best method to confirm a concussion.
● False Concussions are generally “soft tissue” injuries, so MRI and imaging is not a valid test to identify most concussions.
Safer helmets will eliminate most concussions in sports.
● False – It’s not just football; concussions occur in a range of sports, from youth soccer and lacrosse to hockey. Children and teens are particularly at risk with their still developing brains and weaker neck muscles.
Eyes and vision are rarely impacted in concussions.
● False – Ocular motor skills are particularly susceptible to injury in concussions since there are multiple pathways in the brain required in order to make proper eye movements.
Many concussions happen in practice without the availability of medical personnel or sports trainers.
● True – less than half of all reported concussions happen in games where there are often trained medical personnel.
While concussions and traumatic brain injuries in college and professional football continue to grab the headlines, concussions on our local fields and courts continue to be an issue of great concern among health professionals and, of course, families of young athletes affected by a concussion.
Fortunately, in our local community all levels of sports, from Park and Rec to high school, are requiring coaches to learn more about this epidemic health issue.
But there still remains confusion as to what the symptoms are, where to seek treatment, and the rehabilitation options available depending on the symptoms remaining following the concussion. The obvious signs of a concussion are nausea and vomiting, intense headache and foggy thinking.
Other not so obvious but critical signs to watch for: increased confusion about class schedule or assignments, sudden behavioral changes, increased fatigue, drowsiness and changes in sleep patterns, increased forgetfulness or increased difficulty in reading and remembering.
Concussion detection and rehabilitation has improved immensely over the past few years.
For a more detailed discussion about concussions and vision visit our site at
www.iebend.com/Concussion_FAQs.html or CDC site at www.cdc.gov/headsup/index.html.
