Symptoms that Football Players Ignore
Football players are notoriously tough, and frequently play through injuries. This is a common occurrence because football is a violent game. Throughout a season, being 100% healthy is not an option for most players, as minor strains, sprains and ligament injuries can occur.
Unfortunately, the culture of playing hurt in football can lead to some dangerous consequences in the case of a concussion. Unlike other injuries, such as a fracture or torn ligament, concussions can oftentimes be less obvious. However, without appropriate treatment and rest, a concussion can get worse, or a player can suffer multiple concussions which may have a lifetime of consequences.
As a result of scientific study and litigation, professional football leagues have instituted concussion protocols and even have independent medical personnel on site at games to assess potential concussions.
Unfortunately, such support is not available at minor levels, including house leagues, high school and many universities. As a result, coaches and their staff may miss the signs of concussion and send a player back out on the field, putting them at further risk.
Myths About Concussions
There are two key myths about concussions that parents, players, officials and coaches should be aware of.
The first myth is that one needs to lose consciousness in order to have sustained a concussion. Approximately only 10% of people who suffer a concussion lose consciousness.
The second myth is that you need to suffer a blow to the head to suffer a concussion. This is not true. A concussion is caused by the brain moving around within the skull. A rapid deceleration, which can be caused a significant hit to the body, can cause a concussion.
Symptoms to Look Out For
It is important to be vigilant and on the look out for any of the following symptoms during a game:
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Forgetfulness
- Memory loss
- Vomiting
- Balance Issues
- Sensitivity to light or sound
If a player starts to exhibit any of the above symptoms, they should be removed from the game and assessed by medical personnel. Failure to do so could result in a lifetime of consequences that go well beyond football.
Getting Appropriate Treatment
Following a concussion, it is essential that a person receive appropriate treatment with professionals who have experience and training in treating people with concussions. Often times, this treatment can include physiotherapy and vision therapy.
An underrated and often overlooked area of concussion treatment is rest. A trained professional will tell you that one of the key indicators of a successful recovery from a concussion is ensuring adequate rest. This means not only physical rest, but cognitive rest. This means activities such as reading and screen time should be limited when recovering from a concussions.
Written By
The son of a grocery store clerk, Kevin grew up outside of Perth, Ontario. He credits his humble beginnings with the development of his underdog mentality, an approach he has carried into his legal career.
He attended McMaster University for two years before being granted early admission to Osgoode Hall Law School. After being called to the bar in 2008, Kevin began practising law in Hamilton before joining a leading Toronto litigation firm, representing Canada’s largest insurance companies on personal injury actions. “I didn’t find it fulfilling,” Kevin recalls. “I was helping companies save money, when what I wanted to do was help the people going up against these major corporations.” Since joining Oatley Vigmond, Kevin has used his insurance-industry experience to protect his clients and recover the compensation they deserved. He’d been at Oatley Vigmond for two months when he settled a matter for a client at a mediation. “You felt the burden of the litigation, and her injuries, lifting off her. I wanted to help even more people experience the relief of having their uncertainty lifted.’”