concussions, local football

CONCUSSIONS
concussions in athletes have been in the news a lot recently
see previous blog on football player in kansas that died
from a head injury      he had a previous concussion
in another earlier game      could this have been prevented

in a recent ama medical news there was an article on a
physician that works the side line for one of the top 10
college football teams

in a recent game when the team was behind their star
running back was diagnosed by the doctor as having
sustained a concussion and was not allowed to play
as a second concussion could lead to a major brain
injury

the well known coach verbally accosted the
physician screaming at him that the running back
did not have a concussion and what right did he
have to hold him out of the game

the coach apologized sort of later
however in an interview later with espn he said
"as far as i am concerned he was fine 10 minutes
after he got hurt'

there are demands by coaches, athletes, parents  to
return players to playing too early
have felt that from them in my practice
but have always been aggressive at not letting them
go back too early     sons played sports and know how
much pressure is put on the players by coaches trainers
to go back to playing
sometimes they know which doctors to send players to

there is mounting evidence that there is long term impact
on athletes who get concussions especially recurrent ones

remember jason witten the tight end for the cowboys
continuously arguing with the doctors and trainers to go
back into the game     they held their ground

there are studies of football and wrestlers who have
sustained multiple head trauma that has developed
a progressive degenerative brain disease

have had a problem in the past with players denying
that they have any post concussive symptoms such as
headache dizziness blurred vision

many states including the one we live in have new rules to
protect the athlete      if a concussion occurs then the
player can not play that game and must see a physician
to get a release to play    they have to be symptom free

there are many guidelines available to follow    they all
are similar

the goal is to protect the athlete so immediate harm is not
done and no permanent harm is done

LOCAL FOOTBALL
one of the local football teams where practice is located
won their game last night against a team that has been a
dynasty in football the last few years
they are now undefeated and top ranked in the state

many of the players in the game will be playing football
in college the next few years

hats off to them for a good season   good luck in the
playoffs

they also have one of the best bands in the state
(remember the fallen drummer video in a previous blog)

the organicgreen doctor