If you experience or have had any loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting or blurred vision, contact your
physician or go to the Emergency Room immediately.
- The CDC estimates as many as 3.8 million sport-related concussions in the US each year.
- 5-10% of athletes will experience a concussion in any given sport season.
- Fewer than 10% of sport related concussions involve a Loss of Consciousness (blacking out, seeing stars, etc).
- Football is the most common sport with concussion risk for males (73% chance for concussion). There is 1 concussion for almost every American football game.
- Soccer is the most common sport with concussion risk for females (50% chance for concussion).
- 78% of concussions occur during games (as opposed to practices).
- Some studies suggest that females are twice as likely to sustain a concussion as males.
- It is also estimated that up to 53% of high school athletes have sustained a concussion before participation in high school sports.
High schools with athletic trainers have lower overall injury rates and higher concussion rates due to trainers knowing the signs and symptoms of concussions, allowing them to treat and prevent premature return-to-play. Source: aap.org
Other Types of Brain Injuries
Coup and countrecoup injuries are associated with traumatic brain injury in which the brain is bruised. Coup and contrecoup injuries can occur individually or together.
Coup injuries
Coup injuries occur under the site of impact with an object. They typically occur when a moving object impacts the stationary head.
Countrecoup injuries
Countrecoup injuries occur on the side opposite the area that was impacted and are typically produced when the moving head strikes a stationary or moving object.
Second Impact Syndrome
Second concussion occurs while still symptomatic and healing from previous injury
- Usually within 14 days of initial concussion
- No loss of consciousness required
- More likely to cause brain swelling and widespread damage
- Can be fatal – up to 50% mortality in most sever case
- Higher risk of long-term effects and dysfunction
