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Sport-Related Concussions: A Case Study

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According to SCI, a concussion is defined as a complex pathophysiological process that affects the brain (SCI, 2016). A concussion is commonly known as a mild traumatic brain injury, often sustained in sports, falls, motor vehicle accidents, assault, and other incidents (Cornell, 2015). A blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain (Brainline, 2015).
Adult brains typically weigh approximately three pounds. The brain floats inside of the skull surrounded by cerebral spinal fluid. The cerebral spinal fluid acts as a shock absorber when the brain undergoes miner impacts (Nordqvist, 2015). The signs of a concussion can be subtle. Patients, family members, and doctors sometimes overlook problems or misdiagnose concussion …show more content…

Serious symptoms of a concussion might include: headache or a feeling of pressure in the head, temporary loss of consciousness, confusion or feeling as if in a fog, amnesia surrounding the traumatic event, “seeing stars,” or dizziness, possible ringing in the ears, nausea/vomiting, slurred speech, delayed response to questions, appearing dazed, fatigue, and more (Mayo, 2014). Many sources say that symptoms vary with each case. If none of the more serious symptoms are present, the patient may have a concussion not requiring a visit to the Emergency Room (Cornell, …show more content…

Although most people have a decent recovery, how quickly one improves depends on many factors. These factors include how severe their concussion was, what part of the brain was injured, their age, and how healthy, they were before they sustained a concussion (Brainline, n.d). While a majority of athletes suffering from a concussion are asymptomatic within a week or two, some suffer prolonged symptoms lasting weeks to months according to Straus, author of “Risk Factors for Concussion and Prolonged Recovery” (Straus, 2016).
A recent study was carried out comparing healthy athletes to those of the same age who suffered from a concussion 30 years ago. The results showed that those who experienced head trauma had symptoms similar to those of early Parkinson's disease - as well as memory and attention deficits (Nordqvist, 2015). There are not many major long-term effects of a concussion according to Batjer’s article Long-term Concussion Symptoms: What’s My Child’s Risk?” (Batjer, 2016).
In conclusion, brains are difficult to read and concussions impact the brain in ways that doctors and medical professionals are not even aware of. Many studies have shown people how concussions can affect the brain and how each brain acts and reacts during and after trauma. As previously stated, concussions can be mild or severe, or somewhere in the middle. No two brain injuries are

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