When Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa got his third concussion since 2022, people started worrying about football safety again. They also wondered how to know when it’s safe to play sports after a concussion.
A week later, a high school football player got a bad concussion and had to go to the hospital.
Dr. Matthew Ashley, a brain expert, says most concussions don’t happen in football. They happen in everyday life. Concussions are a type of brain injury that happens about 69 million times a year worldwide.
Some people are more likely to get brain injuries:
- Young children
- Teenagers and young adults
- Older adults
- People in jail
- People in the military
A new study found that about 7 out of 100 kids have had at least one concussion.
You can get a concussion when your head moves quickly back and forth. It doesn’t have to be a hit to the head.
Sports with a higher risk of concussion include:
- Football
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Gymnastics
Concussion symptoms can be different for everyone. They might show up right away or take time to appear. Symptoms are usually worst in the first two days after the injury.
Look for these signs:
- Sensitive to light and noise
- Dizzy or off-balance
- Very tired
- Headaches
- Feeling sick or throwing up
- Vision problems
- Trouble thinking or remembering
- Feeling anxious or sad
- Easily upset or angry
- Sleeping too much or too little
Some symptoms mean you need to go to the emergency room right away:
- Seizures
- Not recognizing people or places
- Throwing up a lot
- Very confused or agitated
- Passing out and hard to wake up
- Slurred speech or weak muscles
- Headache that keeps getting worse
- Uneven pupils or double vision
- Babies who won’t stop crying or won’t eat
If you have mild symptoms, call your doctor. They might want to talk to you on the phone or video chat.
The new way to treat concussions is to rest and do calm activities. Don’t go back to sports, work, or school right away. Wait until your symptoms are gone.
To avoid another concussion:
- Look at what caused your injury
- Make your home safer if you fell
- Use better safety gear for sports
- Try a less dangerous position or sport
Remember, getting more concussions can be worse than just one. Be careful and take time to heal.
If you or someone you know suffered a concussion due to someone else’s carelessness, please contact our experienced brain injury lawyers.
