An academic study of concussions. I do not own the rights to these photographs.

1. Concussions
By Brendan Jacgues and Chris Jackson

2. Key Points
• What is a concussion?
• What causes a concussion?
• Who’s at risk?
• What are the symptoms?
• How are concussions treated?
• What are the long-term effects?
• How are concussions prevented?

3. What is a concussion?
• When the brain
collides with the skull
causing bruising of
brain, tearing of
blood vessels and
injuring of nerves
• Temporary loss of
normal brain
function
• Not life threatening

4. What causes a concussion?
• Strong hit to the head
• Fall
• Car accident
• Sport injury
• Object

5. Risk Factors
• High Contact Sports
• Football
• Ice hockey
• Rugby
• Age
• Gender
• Previous concussion

6. High School Sports
• 41% of concussed athletes in 100 high schools across U.S.
returned to play too soon
• Neglect of American Academy of Neurology guidelines
• 16% of high school football players who lost consciousness
during a concussion returned to field the same day
• SIS

7. Symptoms
• Thinking and Remembering
• Unclear thinking
• Feeling slowed down
• Not being able to concentrate
• Not being able to remember new information

8. Physical
• Headache
• Fuzzy or blurry vision
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Balance problems
• Feeling tired

9. Emotional and mood
• Easily upset or angered
• Sad
• Nervous
• More emotional

10. Sleep
• Sleeping more than usual
• Sleeping less than usual
• Having a hard time falling asleep

11. Treatment
• Seek a doctors attention
• Rest
• No physically or mentally intensive activity
• No alcohol or drugs
• Avoiding loud noises and bright lights
• Pain medication and ice packs
• Follow up with doctor prior to resuming full
activity

12. Long Term Risks
• Studies still being done on the issue
• Minor effects
• Frequent headaches and dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
• Depression
• Dementia
• Short term memory loss
• Suicide

13. CTE
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uKIf1crfK4

14. Prevention
• Avoiding dangerous situations
• i.e. walking/driving on ice, not wearing a seatbelt
• Wearing helmets and mouth pieces during action sports
• i.e. skateboarding, skiing, biking

15. NFL’s steps
• League mandated testing
• All players who are suspected of concussion
• Done by independent physician
• Prevents teams pressuring players to get back quicker
• Personal player penalties
• Monetary fines
• Suspensions

16. Summary
• Concussion are the result of brain trauma
• Symptoms include:
• Inability to remember new information, Headache, dizziness,
sleep issues and emotional reactions
• High contact sports present a greater risk
• Concussions aren't curable but are helped by rest
• Multiple concussions can result in CTE
• Near impossible to prevent but proper safety measures can
reduce the risk

17. Refrences
• "Concussion - WebMD: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and
Prevention." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. Nov. 2012.
<http://www.webmd.com/brain/tc/traumatic-brain-injury-concussion-
overview?page=3>.
• Gregory, Sean. "Study: Kids Competing Too Soon After
Concussions." Time. Time, 21 Jan. 2009. Web. Nov. 2012.
<http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1873131,00.html
>.
• Jaslow, Ryan. "Junior Seau's Death Raises Questions about Brain Trauma,
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 3 May
2012. Web. Nov. 2012. <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-
57427161-10391704/junior-seaus-death-raises-questions-about-brain-
trauma-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/>.
• "Post-Concussion Syndrome: Symptoms, Treatments, Tests, Recovery,
and More." WebMD. WebMD, 26 Jan. 2011. Web. Nov. 2012.
<http://www.webmd.com/brain/post-concussion-syndrome>.
• "TeensHealth-Concussions." Concussions. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov. 2012.
<http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/first_aid/concussions.html>.

18. Questions?