An athlete that attempts to ‘play thru’ a suspected concussion is opening the door for a potential variety of issues, which can be detrimental to their health.
Brain Healing Time Is Increased
To repair itself, the brain needs time to rest, where energy can be put into repairing internal damage. Recovery time from a previous TBI (traumatic brain injury) will be lengthened, with symptoms continuing/getting worst. This may result in a decline in sports performance, cognitive abilities, and in the daily quality of life.
Second Impact Syndrome (SIS)
It has been identified that young children are more susceptible to problems from concussions, due to the developmental stages of their brain. There is also a condition termed ‘second impact syndrome’ (SIS), which primarily affects younger players and teenagers. This occurs when a player with a concussion receives another concussion, before the brain is allowed to heal. This can cause brain swelling and bleeding. This can happen immediately, with a hit causing a second concussion during the same game, or it can happen at another close time point, days, or weeks later. The issue being that a later concussion added to the detrimental effects of an untreated, previous concussion could lead to brain herniation, and immediate death. If death does not occur, an athlete could have a permanent disability, due to their damaged brain.
The key to SIS injuries is that the first concussion was not reported/handled properly, the player did not receive medical review, and that the brain was not given a time to rest and recover.
Post Concussion Syndrome
If SIS does not appear from not having proper treatment for previous concussions, there is also a risk of developing Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS). The standard concussion symptoms may get progressively worst, totally disrupting daily life.
Concussions are essentially nothing to be trifled with, and definitely not ‘toughed out’. A coach that allows a player to continue playing after suffering a concussion, without having receiving proper treatment, is risking the health/life of a player. A player that does not report symptoms of a concussion is also taking the same risk.
The realization has to be understood that the taking of one more hit, when a previous concussion is not treated in a proper manner, could be catastrophic to the player. Parents need to be well aware of this also.
All parties need to pay close attention for signs & symptoms of a concussion and ensure that a player suspected of a concussion is immediately removed from a game and properly evaluated.
Video On Second Impact Syndrome
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