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Concussions Demand Caution, Experts Say

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The Associated Press

Published: August 12, 2008

WASHINGTON - Your brain needs more of a timeout than just missing the next game to recover from a concussion. New research suggests student athletes who are too active - not just on the field, but at home and school - may hinder their recovery.

More puzzling, female athletes may take longer to recover than males.

"No two concussions are the same," said Kevin Guskiewisz, an athletic trainer who chairs the sports science department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "We need to be cautious with what we're allowing someone to do, and at what point in their recovery they're allowed to do it."
Concussions are brain injuries and among the most difficult of sports injuries, starting with even identifying who's had one. Many athletes never lose consciousness, the most obvious symptom. Brain scans can't diagnose a concussion. Nor are other symptoms always apparent right away, and players can sometimes hide or minimize them: "Nope, no headaches, coach; put me back in."

Doing so has grave risks. A second concussion before recovering can cause brain swelling that can trigger permanent damage.

The latest U.S. estimates suggest there are anywhere from 1.6 million to 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions each year.

Experts urge parents, players and coaches to know the symptoms and to keep an athlete from returning to play until cleared by a health professional.

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