Concussions are not just limited to contact sports such as boxing, MMA, hockey and football. They are also very common in biking, rollerblading, snowboarding, soccer and skiing. Any sport that includes a risk of head trauma (through falling or contact) also comes with a risk of concussion.
Concussions are a type of brain injury in which the brain rapidly moves back and forth, hitting the skull. They are usually caused by a fall or some sort of impact to the head.
In order to avoid concussions, athletes must ensure that they are utilizing the appropriate safety equipment; including helmets and mouthguards. Although the use of safety equipment will reduce the risk of concussion, it is still possible for your brain to bang against your skull in the case of impact. Using the correct techniques and advancing your skill in your sport are also important ways to reduce the risk of concussion.
In sports that are associated with a high risk of concussion, it is important that everyone involved is aware of the signs and symptoms of a concussion. In order to reduce the severity of the concussion/injury, coaches, athletes, and judges should all be able to recognize when an athlete should cease play.
Some of the tell-tale signs and symptoms of a concussion include:
· Headache
· Dizziness
· Nausea
· Trouble with coordination/balance
· Blurred vision
· Confusion
· Memory impairment
· Difficulty concentrating
· Irritability
Symptoms often develop in the subsequent days following a head trauma. If your sport has a high-concussion risk, make sure that you watch out for the signs of a concussion following a head trauma. If you believe there is a chance you have a concussion, make sure you see a doctor or certified concussion management practitioner immediately.