Concussions have gained a lot of media attention in recent years, and for good reasons. These are dangerous brain injuries that can have a long-term impact on young athletes. It is crucial that parents, coaches, doctors, athletic trainers and the athletes themselves take a concussion very seriously.

In this video, I stress the importance of removing any player suspected of having a concussion and athletes telling someone they suffered an injury.

Removing any player suspected of having a concussion from a game or practice is a good start. Coaches, athletic trainers and doctors must recognize the signs and symptoms of concussions and pull the player out. The risk of a much more serious injury increases dramatically if the concussed player returns before his brain has fully healed.

Ideally the parents of the concussed athlete would have the child fully evaluated by a neurologist or neuropsychologist familiar with concussions and concussion evaluation. Physicians could use cognitive and psychological tests to fully evaluate the brain function rather than relying on the athlete admitting symptoms.

Also read:
Athletes who continue to play after a concussion risk longer recoveries

Parents and coaches should stress to the athletes that they must tell someone that they have suffered a head injury. The player needs to understand the symptoms – whether they are having headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, blurry vision, nausea or any others – and tell the coach. He can tell the team doctor or athletic trainer. We have seen how athletes at all levels of football, from the NFL to high school, deny symptoms to stay in the game. That attitude must change.

In my new book, That’s Gotta Hurt: The Injuries That Changed Sports Forever, I discuss concussions, CTE and the risk of playing football for young athletes. If you have kids who play football, you should read it and take steps to keep your kids healthy. Click here to get your copy!

Also read:
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: What is CTE, and should athletes and parents be concerned?

Concussed football player on the bench

Recommended Products and Resources
Click here to go to Dr. David Geier’s Amazon Influencer store!
Due to a large number of questions I have received over the years asking about products for health, injuries, performance, and other areas of sports, exercise, work and life, I have created an Amazon Influencer page. While this information and these products are not intended to treat any specific injury or illness you have, they are products I use personally, have used or have tried, or I have recommended to others. THE SITE MAY OFFER HEALTH, FITNESS, NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER SUCH INFORMATION, BUT SUCH INFORMATION IS DESIGNED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT DOES NOT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONVEY MEDICAL ADVICE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. THE SITE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTIONS OR INACTION ON A USER’S PART BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRESENTED ON THE SITE. Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.