Brain injuries in sports are more common than most people realize, and many athletes don’t even know they’ve had one. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can be hard to tell, but ignoring them can lead to serious, lifelong problems.
Unreported brain injuries
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Estimates suggest that 3.8 million concussions occur in the United States annually because of sport and recreation with up to 50% of concussions going unreported.” Unreported concussions are the athletes that don’t report their symptoms. Some might not recognize the signs, while others may try to ignore it and “tough it out.”
Early signs
It is important to look out for concussion symptoms as an athlete. Especially if you play a contact sport, such as American football or soccer. The most common cause of concussions is falls. Some common symptoms to look out for are headaches, confusion, and loss of memory. Physical symptoms may include ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and blurry vision.
The dangers of playing through injuries
Playing with a brain injury can be extremely dangerous. When the brain hasn’t fully healed, another hit can cause Second Impact Syndrome, a rare but possible condition where the brain swells quickly. This can be life-threatening.
Long-term risks
If a player takes multiple hits to the head over time, they could develop a condition called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE. CTE is a brain disease linked to memory loss, mood swings, depression, and in some cases, early dementia. Many former pro athletes, especially football players, have been diagnosed with CTE after their deaths.
Young athletes are especially at risk of this condition. Kids’ brains are still developing, so injuries can have a bigger impact. Sports like football, soccer, and hockey see the most concussions, but any activity where playing hits their heads often is a risk.
Steps taken to protect athletes
To address this problem, organizations like the NFL and NCAA have introduced rules to protect players from injury and promote sportsmanship. According to The Brink, a new rule has been put in place, “The National Football League altered kickoffs to reduce the type of full-speed, bone-crushing tackles that can cause some of the most serious head injuries in players.” They are also allowing new safety equipment for players to wear. One of them is a special Guardian Cap for protection against head injuries.
Reasoning behind silence
But even with new rules, it is up to athletes to speak up when they feel something is off. Unfortunately, many don’t. The most common reasons athletes don’t report a brain injury are that they don’t want to lose playing time, do not want to let their team down, and do not think the injury was serious enough to get it checked. (NIH)
Breaking the mindset of playing through pain is crucial. Your life and health are more important than a game. Reporting symptoms and taking time to heal isn’t a weakness. It is smart and can save your life.
Awareness is key to prevention
Protecting athletes from brain injuries starts with awareness. Whether you play pro or just play for fun, knowing the signs of a concussion and taking them seriously could protect your future.
