Concussions in Student-Athletes: Know the Signs
The start of the new school year means students throughout New York will be back on the practice field and in the gym, working on their athletic skills and dreaming of a championship trophy. Parents, teachers, and coaches all have a role to play in keeping athletes healthy and protecting them from injury.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sports are the number-one cause of concussions in children ages 10-19. Because a concussion can cause long-term damage to kids’ ability to grow and learn, knowing the signs and getting adequate medical treatment for an injured player are crucial steps to take if a concussion is suspected.
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month: Know the Facts
Brain injuries typically occur when there is a bump, jolt, or blow to the head that damages brain tissue. Because brain injuries affect over 2 million people in the United States each year, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and experienced New York traumatic brain injury attorneys recognize March as Brain Injury Awareness Month, a valuable time to help people understand and protect themselves from brain injuries.
According to the BIAA, 2.4 million U.S. residents suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. This number includes 475,000 children. Although about 1.3 million of these injured individuals will be treated in an emergency room and sent home, another 275,000 will require hospitalization for treatment of their injuries, and as many as 52,000 each year suffer a fatal injury. Brain injuries contribute to nearly one-third of all injury-related deaths.
Living with a Brain Injury after an Auto Accident
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually. The CDC reports that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of TBI-related deaths and are the second leading cause of TBIs. Unfortunately, many brain injury victims struggle to return to the lives they led before the accident.
Life after a TBI may be very different for survivors. The victim may not be able to physically perform as he or she did prior to the accident. He or she may have reduced mental capabilities and a number of brain injury victims also deal with behavioral changes that may be permanent.
Increased Evidence of Serious Football Player Brain Injury Found in New Study
During the past few years, brain injuries and the effects felt by National Football League (NFL) players have come into increased focus. As reported by CBS News, a new study from Scientific Reports has provided further evidence that the repeated head injuries suffered by football players frequently leads to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
During the study, 13 retired football players suffering from neurological problems underwent brain imaging scans. Results showed unusual activity linked to the amount of times they suffered a head injury during their sport. According to the lead author of the study, there is a strong link between levels of brain abnormality and head impacts that are bad enough to take a player out of a game.