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Dr.
Bill Heinz returns to talk about concussions. 1.2 million high
school boys play football each year, and research shows that 110,000 will
receive concussions. Thousands more - actually 300,000 - receive concussions playing soccer,
hockey, and other contact sports.
Depending
on the severity of the concussion, symptoms can include headache,
dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, blurred vision, tinnitus or
ringing in
the ears, double vision and loss of consciousness. In some cases, severe
mood swings, anger, and changes in personality can occur.
Several
neurological studies have also revealed that teenagers are more
likely to suffer from prolonged brain swelling after a concussion, which
means
high school athletes may have a slower recovery rate. The younger the
brain, the slower the recover rate. And once someone has had a concussion,
their chances of a second are much greater. Research also shows that the
effects of repeated concussions are cumulative, they add up.
Dr.
Heinz and Cape Elizabeth Athletic Director, Keith Weatherbie will explain
how a cognitive test that is used to establish a baseline can determine
the seriousness of a concussion. Cape Elizabeth is one of a growing number
of schools who give the test to all student athletes who are involved in
contact sports.
Dr.
Heinz will dispel some of the myths associated with "getting your
bell rung," and "getting dinged," and we will explore some
of the ethical issues parents, coaches, athletic directors, and trainers
face when pressed to let an injured athlete play before she is ready.
We
will also hear the frightening story of a a female Cape Elizabeth soccer
player who received a serious concussion and was unable to play and attend
classes for several months.
Some of the topics we'll cover in this interesting
discussion will be prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and what parents need
to know about monitoring an athlete with a concussion.
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