The number of concussions that high-school football players are receiving has been substantially growing. To make matters worse is that there is not much research being done for high-school athletes as there is being done for college, and the NFL. We need more organizations to raise awareness and inform players at the high-school level. Another issue on hand is the parents or athletes may not even know that he/she may have a concussion and will continue to play making the head injury worse.University of Miami miller school of Medicine is one of the few organizations that have begun doing extensive research on what truly causes a concussion and possible ways to prevent them. Based on some of their research the imPACT test has been created for all high- school athletes. This test is required before you play any sport in school. It test you on certain questions and records all of your answers plus the amount of time you took to answer them; it also asks you some questions based on your past health. To help raise awareness the University of Miami teams up with the Miami Project to host seminars and events at local high-schools to teach athletic trainers, coaches, and athletes about concussions and treatments.
A concussion is a hit to the head with enough force to rattle the brain in an uncommon manner. By doing so the brain may begin to swell up. This is why it is very important to let your athletic trainer know and let him decide whether or not you should return to play. He will then let you know the severity of the injury. Common symptoms for a mild concussion are dizziness, head ache, nausea/vomiting, trouble seeing, difficulty sleeping, and unable to focus. For the more severe cases of a concussin will be the same effects of a mild concussion just for a longer period of time, plus temporary loss of memory, the inability to stand, and in some cases unconsciousness.
This is why it is extremely important that you stop playing and take the proper time to recover. This includes not doing any athletic activity and trying not to focus your brain on anything such as reading or playing video games. If you don’t tke the proper time to recover the chances of you receiving another concussion is nearly doubled because your brain becomes sensitive at this stage. By receiving another concussion before you are fully healed may be very dangerous for you. You may be permanently blind, paralyzed, lose all brain function, and in a few cases death.
To get in contact with the University of Miami Miller School of Meicine you may reach them at 305-243-9100 or 305-243-5757. You may also like their page on Facebook or follow them on twitter @UMiamiMedicine.