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Cameron Mills
Mrs. Hensel
3rd Block
3 March, 2016

Effects of Concussions

The concern of long term damages caused by concussions has become widespread in
the last 10 years due to media coverage of affected player in the NFL. Reports of kids ages 8 to
13 years old that have visited the emergency room with a concussion have
double(headcasecompany.com). Over the last decade reports of concussions have risen two
hundred percent among teens ages 14 to 19 years old(headcasecompany.com). Concussions
could lead to an endless number of possible brain and trauma related symptoms and could
cause damages to the brain as well as creating possible thoughts of suicide.
some people have obvious symptoms of a concussion while others may not. some of
those signs may include loss consciousness, confusion, drowsiness, or just feeling sluggish.
patients do not have to lose consciousness to have a concussion. if someone notices any sign
of a concussion then he or she should contact their physician. symptoms of a concussion fit into
four categories; memory, physical characteristics, sleep, and mood/behavior(webmd.com). not
being able to remember information, or not being able to concentrate are signs of having
memory loss. the physical signs include nausea, blurry vision, feeling tired, and dizziness. some
people may have mood swings and having a hard time falling asleep (webmd.com).
there are new studies out that confirm that having at least on concussion could cause
long term brain damage. researchers are using 3-D MRIs to examine the brains of people who
have received a concussion one year prior to their injury. the studies confirmed that after only
one concussion that there is true structural to the brain, even though we may not see it on a

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routine x-ray (auntminnie.com).`researchers have also been using diffusion-tensor MRIs to
study white and grey matter on the brain. DTI-MRI measures the movement of water molecules
in tissue and white-matter brain regions through fractional anisotropy to determine disruptions in
flow (auntminnie.com). the researchers are more likely to find abnormalities using these
techniques rather than using an MRI alone. with these advanced imaging procedures doctors
and researchers can determine whether the patient has a mild traumatic injury or is suffering
from something simple as depression.
concussions are common problem with athlete today and many who sustain
concussions have complained of anxiety and depression which could lead to suicide. a survey
used by Dr. Gabriela Llie, a psychologist, concluded that students who had prior concussion are
more likely to experience distress from depression and anxiety (Jesse Fann, page 1). anxiety
and depression resulting from a concussion has been proven to cause a chemical imbalance in
the brain which has contributed to many deaths among teen athletes and NFL football players
(Jesse Fann, page 1). people suffering from concussions and suicidal thoughts can seek out
psychotherapeutic counseling to begin to learn how to cope with depression and anxiety which
lead to suicide. some states in the U.S. have an in-house treatment center for a more
comprehensive brain injury rehabilitation program where the patients can be monitored twentyfour hours a day.
The advanced technology that our society has today could help could prevent the long
term effects of concussions. As well as the damages that it produces and it can help stop the
possible thoughts of suicide. Manufacturers of sporting companies have created protective gear
for the head so that athletes dont get a concussion. There are now rules in the NFL that prevent
players from committing deliberate helmet to helmet contact. In the medical field, medical
professional can now diagnose brain injury/concussion more efficiently than they could 10 years
ago. As the years go by there will be more and more advances in technology to reduce the
number of concussions in the world.

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Citations
www.auntminnie.com
www.webmd.com
www.msktc.com