Checking Out Sports Concussions

Tennessee high schools have a new policy for sports-related concussions, which requires that players who show signs of a concussion be removed from the game and not allowed to resume play until given the clear by a medical professional.

A concussion is a brain injury and all are serious. The majority of concussions do not involve loss of consciousness. Recognition of and proper response to concussions when they first occur can help prevent further injury or even death.

Although symptoms may not occur immediately, common signs include:

• Headache
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Lack of awareness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Poor attention and concentration
• Fatigue
• Double or blurred vision
• Irritability and/or bothered by light or noise
• Memory problems

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association is following the lead of the National Federation of State High School Associations, which includes the following in every sport rule book publication: Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Concussion in Sports site.