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Post Concussion Syndrome

Tackle Football and Brain Injury

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Dr. L. Robbins of the Robbins Headache Clinic recently posted some thoughts about (American) Football and the injuries that can lead to headache conditions.  Here is a portion of what he wrote:

Football and Brain Injury

Concussions are part of football, with the severity ranging from mild (feeling dazed) to severe (out cold). … Some symptoms may linger for years.  Players with multiple concussions have an increased chance of long-term problems that include chronic headache, lower GPAs, memory and emotional difficulties, dementia, and a host of other problems.

Equally disturbing are repeated knocks to the head that do not produce obvious concussion symptoms.  A child who plays football from ages 7-18 will typically sustain thousands of hits to the head during games and practices over the years.  High school players occasionally die from football. This may occur due to “second impact syndrome,” from returning too soon after the first concussion. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) can result from many head impacts, and leads to death among NFL players and boxers.  It recently has been identified in high school and college age players.

[read the full post here]

So what does Dr. Robbins recommend?  Should we ban football?

Recognizing the difficulties, he makes some suggestions, such as:

  • Eliminating tackle football for those under 18.
  • Eliminating hitting in practice.  As strange as this may sound to some, it was a policy used by John Gagliardi, arguably the most successful coach in the history of American football.
  • Use certified trainers.
  • Improved helmets, although Dr. Robbins admits these help only slightly when it comes to concussions.  (Remember the Riddell helmet controversy?)
  • Educate players, coaches and parents about proper tackling techniques, keeping heads up, and reporting concussions.
  • A buddy system to help players report concussions.
  • Laws regarding concussions may help, but brain damage can occur even without concussions.

Regarding the concern about concussions, here’s the issue.  A concussion is actually a MTBI – that is, a mild traumatic brain injury.  Players should not go back in the game after a mild brain injury (that is, a concussion).  Which means players often will not want to report a concussion.  Which can cause very serious problems, especially if they get hit again.  Post concussion syndrome – and worse.

That’s why there’s so much obsession over what many people still think of as an insignificant issue.

Obviously this issue goes beyond tackle football.  Similar injuries can occur in football/soccer, basketball, as well as the more obvious sports such as rugby and boxing.

Thanks to Dr. Robbins for continuing the discussion.  Read more about head trauma in sports here.

Augusta, Georgia – Fighting the Battle Against Migraine & Headaches

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We’re only three weeks away from an exciting free event in Augusta, Georgia, USA (close to the South Carolina border).  Put on by the National Headache Foundation, it’s the first of several free Headache Awareness events in the USA.  The events are free, but you must phone in to register and space is limited.  The number is 1-800-843-2256.

Headache Awareness 2011

Event for Patients

Here’s what the NHF has to say about the patient event, which is from 12:30pm to 5pm on the 5th of March 2011:  Free Patient Education Event for Veterans & Individuals Suffering from Migraine and Chronic Headaches related to Traumatic Brain Injury & Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Not only will you be able to listen to national experts on migraine and headache, there will also be times that are interactive, where you can discuss your experiences and ask questions.  You’ll also learn about what resources are available to you, and you’ll even get one for free – a one year membership to the NHF.  I’d say it’s worth the drive, even if you don’t live right in the area!

Again, this event is geared especially to those who are dealing with migraine or headache related to traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, including but not limited to war veterans.

For more information on the patient sessions, visit the Regional Headache Awareness Conference page.

Event for Health Professionals

On the same day, March 5th 2011, there will be an event especially to help health professionals.  Encourage your doctor to go in the morning – 7:30am to 12pm (note: there’s currently a discrepancy on the NHF materials – some say 7:00am).  Once again, the theme is especially focused on treating war veterans, however there will be a lot of general information that will apply to a wider audience.  Learn about the latest diagnostic techniques, interact with headache experts, and learn about treating patients with headache and migraine related to traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.  Breakfast is provided.

For more information, go to the Regional Headache Awareness Conference page.


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Is it a Concussion or a Brain Injury?

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Of course you know that the question isn’t fair – a concussion is a brain injury.  And it can be a pretty serious one.

Debates and discussions are heating up when it comes to concussions – especially concussions among children (remember the Sports Head Injury Controversy).  In a study to be published next month in the journal Pediatrics, the shocking find was that just calling the brain injury "concussion" meant that people didn’t take it as seriously.  If children were diagnosed with "concussion" as opposed to something else (ie "aquired brain injury"), they spent less time in the hospital and returned to school sooner.  In spite of the fact that their injury may be as serious or more serious than others.

Concussion, or brain injury, in children is a serious matter.

And that could be a serious mistake.

Carol DeMatteo, associate clinical professor at the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University in Hamilton, suggests that it’s time to drop the term concussion and start using mild traumatic brain injury.

DeMatteo says,"Even children with quite serious injuries can be labelled as having a concussion.  Concussion seems to be less alarming than ‘mild brain injury’ so it may be used to convey an injury that should have a good outcome, does not have structural brain damage and symptoms that will pass."

For more about concussion, various types of sports related head injuries and post-traumatic headache or migraine, try:

via Help My Hurt

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The articles on Headache and Migraine News are © 2004-2026 J. Cottrill.
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of each article, and to point you to further sources of information. However, this site is for informational purposes only and should never replace a visit to your doctor.