Concussions: An Invisible Disease

According to the Center for Disease Control, Americans sustain approximately 3.8 million concussions annually from sports and other recreational activities. The risk is particularly high for high school and college athletes who not only have increased exposure for opportunities to sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI), but their brains are increasingly vulnerable as they are still undergoing development.
The true seriousness of concussions if often either disregarded or goes unnoticed due to the fact the damage is typically on a microscopic rather than macroscopic level. In fact, many individuals that have been concussed show little to no observable or physical changes, unless exposed to specific conditions which result in an overuse or overstimulation of the injured area of the brain.
It is for this reason that concussions are often seen as in invisible disease. They are often disregarded, or warily acknowledged at best, both of which can be detrimental for the recovery of the concussed individual.
Recovery from a concussion should be regarded with utmost importance and is not something to be ignored. Unlike a sprained ankle or broken arm, it is difficult to isolate and prevent use of the brain. To stop thinking is to stop functioning – to stop being a human, to stop living. It simply is not possible. As such, the brain takes longer to heal as it must continue to function all the while. That is not to say it should continue to function at normal (prior concussion) levels. In order for proper and expedited recovery, use of the brain should be limited when possible.
Athletes are often at the highest risk for concussions (particularly college or professional) and stand to experience the most harmful effects (on a yet developing brain) if their injuries are not treated properly. Sadly, they are also met with the most difficult situations when facing a proper and hasty recover.
All too often, a concussed athlete is met with skepticism and doubt, as well as resistance. Sadly, this is often received from their educators.  Concussions are an immediate injury and often difficult to comprehend. One day the student is fine, working on homework or taking a test, the next, they may have difficulty coherently reading a paragraph. This drastic change in ability can, understandably, be difficult to accept. However, it is imperative that we do. For the best possible recovery, most physicians suggest that student athletes take a complete break from school, following the injury. This period of time or “break” can vary in duration depending on the individual and the severity of the concussion. Following this “break” the individual typically follows a return to learning protocol, which gradually eases them back into the academic rigor they previously experienced. If the concussed individual is not supported and encouraged to follow these important recovery processes, it may prevent them from healing properly and take them far longer than it should.

Even with support, playing “catch up” after such an academic break can be daunting and perhaps impossible. Understanding that teachers/professors must be fair to all of their students, I think it is a worthy goal to search for methods (either as a professor or as a college) that can allow students who sustain a TBI to remain on track academically without having to drop a class, or be overloaded with material to catch up.
Even more important than academic support, in my opinion, is the support and understanding these concussed athletes receive from their coaches. In many cases, especially because concussions can be undetectable without significant testing, a coach may witness a potential cause for concussion and let it go unreported or unnoticed. They are not alone as many athletes may well choose to disregard the possibility of concussion, whether purposefully or unknowingly. However, in the case of concussions, all precautions should be taken. Second impact syndrome is a very real disease which occurs when a “second impact” or TBI is sustained before the healing process of the first has been completed. This can result in diffuse cerebral swelling, brain herniation, and death.

It is for this reason that a high expectation of responsibility and observation must be placed on coaches. It is difficult to bench the star player in the final minutes of a tie game, even more so if the player doesn’t feel as though they need to sit out. However, it is a coach’s duty to objectively view the situation and do what is in the best interests for the health of their athlete, whether the athlete protests or whether it costs the team the game.
It is important that we rid the stigma that can often come with concussions. Just because it may seem “invisible”, does not mean it should be treated as such, and devastating effects can occur if it is. It is imperative that we determine a method as coaches, teachers, individuals etc. to look objectively at situations involving concussions and work to provide the best care and best environment for an individual to recover and prevent further damage.