Post-concussion syndrome
About 10% of people with PCS develop sensitivity to light or noise, about 5% experience a decreased sense of taste or smell, and about 14% report blurred vision. People may also have double vision or ringing in the ears, also called tinnitus. PCS may cause insomnia, fatigue, or other problems with sleep.
Health issues in youth sports
45 million children and adolescents participate in youth sports in the US . There are many positive and negative impacts on young athletes. Participation in sports raises energetic physical activity. The Center for Disease Control reported that in 1999 only 50% of youths engaged in regular exercise . Youth participation in sports can influence high-risk health-related impacts for boys and girls. A 2000 study showed the relationship between participation in sports and health-related behaviors in US youth athletes . Both boys and girls were more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and less likely to engage in smoking and illicit drug-taking.
Many high school students will experience some form of head injury during their experiences in amateur sports and the majority of these can be classified as concussions. Even by the beginning of high school, 53% of athletes will have already suffered a concussion. Less than 50% of them report it in order to stay in the game. Many concussions may be subtle and go undiagnosed. While the majority of these minor injuries will recover without consequence within 3 to 7 days, it is the repetitive injury that is associated with neurological sequela. Multiple concussions appear to have a cumulative effect on memory performance. If an athlete returns to competition before being completely healed, they are more susceptible to suffer another concussion. A repeat concussion can have a much slower recovery rate and be accompanied by increased symptoms and long-term effects. This “second impact syndrome” has, in some cases, been fatal. A history of concussion in football players has been linked to sports-related sudden death. The severity of complications from concussion can include brain swelling, blood clots and brain damage. Ice hockey, soccer, wrestling and basketball carry a high risk for concussion however, football is the most dangerous. Concussion causing situations that involve leading with the head, hitting head to head and striking a defenseless athlete have become subject to penalty in order to discourage players and coaches from this type of play. These rule changes have resulted in technique changes at the youngest levels of sports, and youth athletes are now being trained in methods avoiding illegal contact. Youth sport organizations have also made equipment changes to better protect players. A widespread myth is that helmets protect athletes from concussions; they are actually worn to prevent skull fractures. Facts like this have prompted trainings on proper equipment use and not utilizing helmets as an implement of contact.