From the pro’s to the pee-wee’s, football season is in full swing. We are big fans of the game, but we are even bigger fans of health and safety.
Although football is the number one American pass time, it is inherently dangerous. Within the past couple years, research has been released linking football to severe cases of brain damage. This is sad news for player and spectators alike.
Playing football is a choice, and if you or a loved one choose to participate in the game, we think it’s helpful to know the facts about head trauma and how to avoid it.
What Happens During a Concussion?
A concussion is a very serious injury, and is caused by a sudden impact to the head or body. An unexpected hit can send a players head rocking back and forth so violently that their brain literally crashes into their skull. A concussive blow to the head or body usually results in unconsciousness, and can cause permanent damage to the brain tissue.
Concussions inevitably lead to more concussions. Brain tissue can only take so much abuse, and after one concussion the brain isn’t able sustain another forceful blow. After their initial concussion, a player is one to two times more likely to experience another.
Protection and Precautions
The number one, doctor recommended, best way to avoid a concussion is to not play football or any contact sport that poses a risk of head trauma; but we know that many kids do not consider this to be an option. Football and other contact sports are incredibly fun, and teach kids important lessons in teamwork, endurance and sportsmanship. If playing the game is a must, here are some tips for preventing head trauma:
- Wear a helmet! This should go without saying, but you’d be surprised how many concussions occur during pick-up games. Two-hand-touch is not for sissies, it’s for smarties.
- Don’t tackle with your head! Going for a tackle head first has been taught to generations of football players, but even with a helmet this is a terrible idea. Coaches are now teaching their teams to tackle with the shoulder; this keeps the head at a relatively safe distance from the point of impact and has already prevented major head injuries.
- See a doctor for any head injury! Concussions don’t always result in unconsciousness, so some people may not realize the extent of their injury. As a precaution, always see a doctor for any head injury sustained while playing sports.
From Mountain Peaks Family Practice, we wish you a safe and enjoyable football season. Contact us with any questions or concerns you have about head trauma or sports related injuries.