11 Facts About Concussions

1. A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. A concussion can also be caused by violent movement or jarring of the head or neck.
2. People who suffer from concussions generally fully recover quickly. In some cases, symptoms can last for days or weeks.
3. 66 percent of teenagers who reportedly suffered a concussion did not feel it was serious enough to tell an adult.
4. Concussions are common in sports like football, soccer, volleyball, hockey, basketball, rugby and skiing.
5. Head trauma resulting in brain injury is the greatest killer under the age of 45 and the greatest cause of disability in people under 44. Brain injury kills more children under age 20 than every other cause combined.
6. In the U.S., athletes suffer from roughly 300,000 concussions every year.
7. Immediate consequences of concussions include blurred vision, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or unconsciousness.
8. Athletes with serious concussions may experience symptoms for 3 weeks or more.
9. Concussions are more common among males than females. The most brain injuries occur in males between ages 16 and 24.
10. In the U.S., nearly half a million emergency room visits every year are children ages 0 to 14 with traumatic brain injuries.
11. Only 10 percent of all concussions involve a loss of consciousness.

Check out these questions to ask your coach about concussions. GO

Sources: Stop Concussions, Brain Facts, Washingtonian