Butler Williams & Skilling Blog

CDC Provides Free Concussion "Tool Kit" to Those Involved in Youth Sports

Concussions are caused when the brain is jostled inside the head and normal function is disrupted.  Among other symptoms, affected individuals may feel sick or disoriented or may lose consciousness.  Depending on the severity of the impact and the constitution of the affected individual, concussions can be fatal absent proper treatment.  By now the majority of the general public is probably aware that with participation in competitive sports comes the risk of concussion.  That risk is only magnified when we are talking about younger athletes.  Moreover, recognizing a concussion in a youth athlete is not a simple task.  A concussion need not be accompanied by an open wound, nor does it require a particularly violent collision.  Fortunately, more and more high school coaches and athletic trainers are being educated to the warning signs of a concussion.  To that end, the CDC has recently released a free concussion “tool kit” for use by athletic coaches, trainers, parents, and even participants.  The “tool kit” explains the symptoms one might expect to see from a concussed person.  Above all, the “tool kit” advocates common sense caution.  A concussed athlete cannot be allowed back on to a field of competition without being cleared by a medical professional.  The old adage of “walk it off” simply does not apply where a concussion is suspected.   We need look no further than our local high schools and youth leagues for tragic examples of what happens when the dangers presented by even minor concussions are not fully appreciated.

Labels: Brain injury Sports concussions Sports head injury