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Newark, NJ -- The
American Journal of Sports Medicine reports that young athletes
who suffer concussions are routinely sent back into the game
too soon, risking further injury and possible long-term effects.
With school sports in full swing, parents and athletes should
be aware the risk of head injury. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention’s (CDC) “Heads Up: Concussion in Youth
Sports program” urges parents to watch for concussions
as their kids head onto the field.
“Continuing to play sports after a possible head injury
puts the player at risk for long-term damage to the brain,” reports
Michael Rosen, MD, Pediatric Director of the Emergency Department
at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital
of New Jersey.
What is a concussion?
Concussion is a head trauma
caused by the violent rocking back and forth of the brain inside
of the skull that occurs with a sudden blow to the head or upper
body. Concussion accounts for about six percent of all sports-related
injuries among children ages 5 through 18. For boys, the greatest
danger is on the gridiron; for girls, the soccer field poses the
biggest hazard.
Extra care needed after a concussion occurs
Studies have shown that high school
athletes with a history of two or more concussions may be at risk
for long-term cognitive impairment. In addition, in some rare instances,
a blow to the head can result in bleeding, swelling of the brain,
or death.
Know concussion symptoms
Symptoms of a concussion can show up right after the injury, or
may not appear until several days or weeks later. If your child
reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms
yourself, seek medical attention right away.
Symptoms include:
- Appears dazed or stunned
- Has a headache or feels “pressure” in head
- Is nauseated or is vomiting
- Has balance problems or dizziness
- Is seeing double or has blurry vision
- Has sensitivity to light and/or noise
- Feels sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy
- Is experiencing concentration or memory problems
- Is confused
- Does not “feel right”
What to do if your child is hit in head while playing sports
If your child receives a blow to the head during
sports, the CDC and The Emergency Department at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center recommend that you:
- Seek medical attention right away.
- Keep your child out of play. Concussions take time to heal,
especially in young athletes.
- Inform the coaches about any recent concussion.
- Step in. As a parent, it is up to you – not your child
and not the coach – to say when your child can return to
the field.
For More Information
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, a 673-bed regional care teaching
hospital, provides comprehensive health care to its local communities
and is a major referral and treatment center for the northern New
Jersey metropolitan area. With more than 800 physicians, 3,200
employees and 150 volunteers, the Medical Center has over 300,000
outpatient visits and 25,000 admissions annually. The
main phone number for Newark Beth Israel Medical Center,
located at 201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace in Newark, is (973)
926-7000, or visit www.saintbarnabas.com. For physician referral
information, please call 1-888-SBHS-123. Follow us on Twitter:
get real time news from the Saint Barnabas Health Care System at www.twitter.com/saintbarnabas .
Date: September 29, 2009
Contact: Beth Salamon
Public Relations Department
Saint Barnabas Health Care System
973-322-4926
esalamon@sbhcs.com
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