Concussions
You tend to grow out of some activities over the years, like climbing trees and riding your bike. Yet some adults just learn to evolve those activities into more challenging, and even more dangerous feats. Luckily, safety precautions have also evolved with the times and equipment has been modified to withstand some common injuries that could occur. Even with the best of the best helmets and padding on the market, the human body is still susceptible to injury.
Early on in this year’s Summer Olympics women’s road race, Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten was leading the pack down the winding curves of the streets of Rio. At a notable sharp, and albeit dangerous right-handed turn, van Vleuten lost control and when head over heels, and handle bars. She landed with her helmet taking most of the blow to the ground, followed by the rest of her body striking a nearby curb. The athlete was rushed to the hospital by medical staff, and diagnosed with a severe concussion and three fractures in her vertebrae.
Even though van Vleuten was wearing the appropriate safety gear for her sport, it does not always guarantee protection from serious injury.
Even though van Vleuten was wearing the appropriate safety gear for her sport, it does not always guarantee protection from serious injury.
- Coup– injury that affects the side of the brain that received the trauma.
- Contrecoupe- affecting the opposite side of the brain from the trauma due to the brain hitting the internal surface of the skull
- Coup-contrecoupe forces– both sides are affected from initial impact and the brain shifting in the skull causing a secondary impact.
Concussions cause swelling and bleeding on the brain. This results in a wide variety of symptoms, that candepend on the severity of the concussion. Memory loss, confusion about the injury, even seizures could occur as the result of a head injury. Other more common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Delayed response
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Sensitivity to light and noises
- Sleep problems
If you or someone you know has any kind of head trauma, be sure to check for signs of a concussion. They may not be present for several hours or days following the initial injury, so be sure to keep an eye on anyone with a suspected head injury!
By: Riki Duncan, MA. Ed, ATC, LAT
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/basics/causes/con-20019272