Football and the Prevention of Concussions.

As much as we hate to say it, summer will be coming to an end and Fall will be approaching soon. But that’s alright because it means leaves, cool weather, sweaters and most importantly, football, are underway. Something we look forward to all year. Watching the sport is one thing, but when you have a child involved in the activity you want to be sure they are going to play and stay safe.

Concussions are an extremely common injury in football and those who are “rookies” may be more prone to them. A concussion is defined as “a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth,” according to the Centers for Disease Control. You want your child to have a great time, but make sure they are safe. The Centers for Disease Control has reported that concussions among children and adolescents have grown to about 60 percent in the last decade. The most common sports associated with this statistic include bicycling, playground activities,basketball, soccer and of course, football.

Here is how to help your child prevent concussions:

• Always, always, always wear a helmet. The brain is a delicate part of the body and needs to be protected in any contact sport to prevent serious injuries. Make sure it fits correctly and is well-maintained for the best effect.
• Practice the “Heads Up” technique in Football, which refers to not lowering your head during a hit.
• Use the proper techniques and fundamentals of blocking and tackling. Practice makes perfect.
• Follow the rules of the game and always practice good sportsmanship. Getting worked up and violent during a game can cause injury by contact with others and just put the team in a bad place all together.
• Understand that helmets do help prevent concussions, but are not always 100 percent effective.

If your child does seem to be suffering from a concussion here are the symptoms to look out for:

• Headache or “pressure” in the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unsteady balance or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish or groggy
• Concentration problems
• Confusion

If your child does suffer from a concussion, make sure they are removed from the sport and seek professional help to address the injury. There are ways to heal a concussion and get your child back to outstanding health, just be sure to pay attention and teach them to play safely.