Are Concussions Just Another Injury?

           
Concussions are dangerous and can alter the way your brain functions. There are millions of sport and recreation-related concussions each year and they happen to students like us. According to Web MD, concussions can cause headaches, blurry vision, nausea and vomiting, and loss of memory, balance and coordination. Alieen Tartaninan said, “I received my concussion in marching band when a color guard member accidentally struck my head with her metal flag pole. When it happened I shrugged it off at first; I didn’t really take it seriously until the next day when I had a terrible headache… a headache that lasted nearly three months.” Alieen was later diagnosed with post-traumatic migraines. She was still able to participate in the final marching band performances of the season.

Elizabeth (Libby) Demarest said that her multiple concussions had a lasting effect on her. She said, “I read much slower now, my memory is not what it used to be, and I am afflicted with horrible chronic migraines that I have been hospitalized for a few times before, which several neurologists have speculated is probably because of the concussions.” She suffered multiple concussions from playing rugby in high school and in college. Currently Libby is still on the rugby team.

It seems as though concussions can cause serious damage. Not all concussions are this extreme, though. In fact, with most concussions you don’t lose consciousness. Minor and moderate concussions can last a few days to a week and major concussions can last a lot longer. Most people probably don’t start thinking about concussions until they’ve had a severe case or multiple concussions. “I really wasn’t cautious until my third concussion, and then was more being careful when I began to work out because I noticed that when my heart rate rose I had bad headaches,” said Christian Aaros. It seems as though people are not hesitant to start any physical activity after recovering. Joshua Couce, who has had three concussions, said, “None of them really changed what I did—I just have to be a bit more careful not to get anymore.” What is the magic number?

There shouldn’t be a magic number. Concussion literally means “to shake violently”. Any person who gets a concussion should take the necessary steps to full recovery. This means not returning to any physical activity until all of your symptoms are gone. There is a tendency to want to go back and participate in your sport before being ready. Concussions don’t stop people from participating in their sport or recreational activity. Alyssa Frey pointed out that injuries are a part of sport, but are concussions just another injury? Any injury involving a brain sounds scary, but more research needs to be done. Doctors don’t seem conclusive about the long-term effects yet. It seems that people will continue to engage in physical activity until they are told otherwise.