Contents tagged with concussions

  • Concussions: A childhood epidemic

    Tags: Jon-Michael Cook, concussions

    By Jon-Michael Cook, MD

    Our student athletes are facing an epidemic and it is our job as primary care physicians to help protect our athletes. It is estimated that 1.6-3.8 million sports-related concussions occur every year with more than 300,000 occurring to high school athletes. For young people ages 15-24, only motor vehicle accidents cause more traumatic brain injuries than sports.

    Concussions were once thought of as a temporary injury much like a sprain or strain of the brain that would completely resolve with time. We also used to think that a hit to the head was not concussive unless there was an associated loss of consciousness. We are learning this is not the case.

    more
  • Concussions: A childhood epidemic

    Tags: Jon-Michael Cook, concussions

    By Jon-Michael Cook, MD

    Our student athletes are facing an epidemic and it is our job as primary care physicians to help protect our athletes. It is estimated that 1.6-3.8 million sports-related concussions occur every year with more than 300,000 occurring to high school athletes. For young people ages 15-24, only motor vehicle accidents cause more traumatic brain injuries than sports.

    Concussions were once thought of as a temporary injury much like a sprain or strain of the brain that would completely resolve with time. We also used to think that a hit to the head was not concussive unless there was an associated loss of consciousness. We are learning this is not the case.

    more