Mason Abernethy

Computer Applications

Eric Ratica

October 17, 2017

The Effect Concussions Have Later On In Life

As a child, sports were a common activity. Football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and hockey

being amongst the most popular selections. As the athletes get older, sports start to be taken more

seriously and often athletes will look to pursue their sport as a profession. Imagine having that dream

or passion taken away from you in a matter of seconds. A simple blow to the head can cause an athlete

to miss out on sports and some other activities in life. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are not something

to be taken lightly. An example of a TBI is a concussion. Concussions are steadily rising amongst people

and have had a much larger effect on people than just missing two weeks. Some are left with

permanent or lingering physical or mental problems. Concussions have terrible symptoms, ways to be

prevented, and at times have awful physical and mental problems after the brain injury.

Often times, concussions have noticeable conditions. For example, “Signs of Concussions

include, walking off-balance, appearing dazed, acting confused, inability to recall score of current game,

unable to recall opponent, forgetting game rules or play assignments, slow verbal responses, increased

or inappropriate emotionality, poor physical condition, or acting disorientated” (Meehan III, Page 5).

These are all physical signs that show a possible concussion has been sustained. Communication is a

very noticeable sign because speaking to people comes straight from the brain in terms of thinking what

you’re going to say. For instance, “Difficulty with speaking appears to be one of the most reported

persisting communication problems following TBI” (Togher, McDonald and Code, Page 4). The signs of a
concussion are pretty straight-forward. Concussions have noticeable and terrible symptoms, but there

are ways to prevent the injury from occurring.

Concussions, like any other injury, can be prevented. For instance, “What if you couldn't tackle

or body check in sports until you were at least 15? That's what many pediatricians and experts are

calling for to reduce injuries like concussions” (“How to Prevent Concussions”). A rule change like this

would prevent athletes playing hockey, football, or lacrosse to play those sports until their eighth grade

year. Caution should be a part of every sport because you can sustain a concussion in any sport. Most

people feel that soccer isn’t a sport where you can sustain a concussion, but it is very common to get a

concussion playing the sport. For example, “Earlier this month, U.S. Soccer announced in a legal

statement that it will restrict the use of headers – bumping the ball off the head – in youth soccer

players under age 10, plus limit use in practice among kids ages 11 to 13” (“How to Prevent

Concussions”). These are just rule changes to lower the risk of concussions. There is protective

equipment now being heavily recommended to prevent TBIs. For instance, “"Helmets will prevent

injuries like fractures of the skull, contusions and lacerations of the scalp and face, intracranial

hemorrhage and epidural hemorrhage, but helmets do not prevent acceleration or deceleration of the

human brain inside the skull," Omalu says” (“How to Prevent Concussions”). These are just come of the

ways to prevent concussions, but even then when a concussion is sustained there are some traumatic

physical and mental issues that follow.

Concussions have been known to result in lasting diseases or syndromes. With the amount of

possible neurodiseases out there in the world, concussions only promote them. For example, “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” (“Concussions
Cause Long-Term”). Memory loss as well as attention deficits have been common among more severe

concussions. For instance, “A TBI can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as

Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain disorders” (What are the Potential”). Other

examples of diseases that can be found amongst concussion victims are Alzheimer’s disease and

Parkinson’s disease. Concussions can lead to serious mental or physical conditions.

Concussions cannot be taken lightly as they were in the 1980s or 1990s. With modern

technology and medicine advancements, research has concluded that concussions can lead to serious

mental and physical conditions. With that, concussions can have difficult and often painful side effects

with the injury. Even though concussions have side effects that can’t be controlled, the risk of getting a

concussion to begin with can be reduced in numerous ways with new rules and or required protective

equipment. In conclusion, concussions can have a traumatic effect on humans if the severity of the TBI

is severe enough.
Works Cited Page

Costa, Samantha. “How to Prevent Concussions.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World

Report, 18 Nov. 2015, health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2015/11/18/how-to-

prevent-concussions.

McDonald, Skye, et al. Communication Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury. Psychology

Press, 1999.

Meehan, William P. Concussions. Greenwood, an Imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2017.

Nordqvist, Joseph. “Concussions Cause Long-Term Effects Lasting Decades.” Medical News Today,

MediLexicon International, 9 June 2015, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/256518.php.

“Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 14 June 2017, www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/outcomes.html.