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Kansas City Youth Athletics and the Potential for Head Injury

Autumn in Kansas City means many things for different people. For the back to school crowd, fall spells new school supplies, clothes shopping, and nights under the Friday night lights. Football season is back in full force. Between first downs and field goals, the game is a tradition in many Kansas and Missouri towns.

Unfortunately, football, along with other sports like baseball, basketball, and cycling, can spell trouble for student athletes. Head injuries are a real danger for children and teens who take part in these and other sports, as well as activities like skateboarding. Sports and recreational activities are responsible for 21 percent of head injuries to children and teens throughout the United States.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to a sudden hit to the head that interferes with normal brain function. Injuries range from very moderate to very severe, even fatal. A TBI can occur when a child suffers a sudden blow to the head or as a result of a penetration to the brain tissue. Traumatic brain injuries can result in debilitating injuries with long term ramifications, and even death.

Football

The occurrence of head injuries varies from sport to sport, but certain sports carry a bit more risk than others. Football, for example, is responsible for 300,000 concussions annually. Studies estimate that approximately ten to 15 percent of high school football players receive concussions every year; sadly though, only a small portion receives proper medical attention. Football players should undergo a complete physical examination prior to the first practice of the season and proper conditioning is a must for prevention. Protective football safety gear absolutely should be utilized at every practice or game, and should be fitted properly for each player. Good sportsmanship goes a long way; players should be taught to respect and obey rules and regulations that are in place to prevent traumatic brain injuries.

Other Sports and Activities

Of course, there are other sports that contribute to head injuries as well. For these athletes, respect for safety regulations and proper equipment are imperatives as well. In cycling, for example, 85,000 people went to the emergency with cycling related head injuries in 2009. Cycling head injuries can be prevented with the use of approved helmets that meet federal safety standards. Unfortunately, as many as 52 percent of youngsters between the ages of five and 14 do not wear bike helmets.

Tips for prevention

Children and youth should be under careful supervision anytime they engage in sports or sports related activities. Proper protective gear must be worn all the time and every time a child or youth participates in a game. Helmets and other gear should be checked for proper fit. Additionally, parents can contribute by encouraging their kids to follow safety rules and practice good sportsmanship.

Signs of a Head Injury

Brain injuries carry tell-tale signs. Parents, coaches, and even student athletes should learn to watch for these signs and symptoms. They include:

• Pain or headache
• Balance disturbance or changes, dizziness
• Changes in hearing, sight, or even taste
• Hypersensitivity to sound or light
• Clear changes to cognitive responses
• Changes in speech

Concussions are a common head injury. A concussion is caused by a blow to the head or a fall, commonly seen during the football season and other sports play. Concussions require medical attention to determine the seriousness of the injury. Medical personnel will determine the severity of the injury and assign a concussion grade level. Players who suffer concussions should be kept out of play until given a release by a health care professional to return to play. Concussion symptoms to watch for include:

• Dazed or confused demeanor
• Confusion or forgetfulness
• Clumsy movement
• Loss of consciousness, even if only briefly
• Behavioral changes
• Inability to remember events before or after the blow to the head

Athletes should learn to report any of the following symptoms to coaches or parents:

• Pressure feeling or headache
• Nausea, vomiting
• Dizziness
• Vision changes
• Confusion, foggy-headed feeling
• Sensitivity to sound and light
• General malaise

Most importantly, head injury symptoms should be taken seriously. Coaches, parents, and youth should learn to recognize the signs and symptoms, and to practice vigilant safety standards. Sports and related activities are an iconic rite of passage for many children and teens; the occurrences of traumatic brain injury do not have to be part of those traditions.

If your child has been injured due to the negligence of another, questions and concerns no doubt are a cause of great worry for you and your family. The Kansas City child injury lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys offer a consultation with no cost or obligation to you to help you find the answers. Schedule a free consultation by calling Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 888-348-2616.

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