(Cont’d)
What Are the Risks?
For head injuries serious enough to be seen in the emergency room, the leading brain injury diagnosis is concussion. The majority of concussions are mild and the residual symptoms go away after about a week. For people or children active in sports, the greatest risk is for “second-impact syndrome.”
Second-Impact Syndrome
Though the brain can heal itself following a concussion, the brain is in a very fragile state until it recovers fully. It’s natural for athletes to want to return to competition as soon as they can, but going back on the field or the court too soon is dangerous. A second injury before the first heals can cause brain swelling and a rapid, uncontrollable rise in intracranial pressure, which can result in death. In well-publicized stories of young football players who collapse suddenly on the field, second-impact syndrome is often to blame.
Thankfully, increased awareness of concussion management in organized sports makes such tragedies rare. Almost every coach and medical professional knows that an athlete exhibiting signs of a concussion is not allowed back in the game until all concussion symptoms clear up. Following specific guidelines, this may be from 15 minutes to two weeks.
Cycling Safety
Approximately 400 people per year die from brain injuries received in bicycle accidents. Wearing a helmet can prevent an estimated 85% of cycling-related head injuries.
The high incidence of head injuries while cycling is partially explained by it being a popular activity for people of all ages. Another contributing factor could be that you have no coach to insist you wear your headgear properly and guide you in how to practice the sport safely. If you did have a coach, here’s what he or she would tell you:
- Never ride without an approved bicycle safety helmet. Falling as little as two feet can cause a skull fracture and/or a traumatic brain injury.
- Wear your helmet properly. If it fits poorly or you wear it too far back on your head, you’re far more likely to receive a brain injury in an accident.
- Be aware of the road surface and objects in front of you. Avoid driving over or through anything that can make you lose control of your bike.
- Watch moving objects, such as vehicles, pedestrians and pets, and be prepared to stop or move out of the way in the event of a sudden change in their path of travel.
- Moderate your speed as appropriate to the conditions.
This article was featured in the Modern Families Blog Carnival at Modern Families.
Resources
NeurosurgeryToday (July 2006), Sports-Related Head Injury. Retrieved June 14, 2008 from American Association of Neurological Surgeons Web site: http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_e/sports.asp
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- Concussion Management in Organized Sports
- NFL Concussions: Ben Roethlisberger
- NFL Concussions: Brandon Stokely
- NFL Concussions: Trent Edwards
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