Concussions: Heading Off Trouble

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA)--The benefits of sports are well known. Especially for young people. But there are also risks. Especially for young bodies. Of particular concern--concussions. According to the Centers for Disease Control, close to 300,000 kids will suffer head injuries playing sports--a lot of them concussions.

Andrew Harrs, who is an offensive lineman at Gonzaga College High School in D.C., knows about concussions.  He suffered one earlier this year.

"I got hit helmet to helmet in a game," explains Harrs.

A concussion is a brain injury.  You don't have to be knocked out cold to get one.  Even a mild bump can be serious.

After Andrew had his hit on the field, he says he felt a bit disoriented and had a constant headache.

"I kept drinking water....trying to get more sleep, nothing worked....That's when I knew something wasn't right," says Harrs.

Some believe multiple, untreated concussions could lead to hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, depression, and a rare, but deadly condition, called Second Impact Syndrome--where the brain swells rapidly.

"When I was growing up, we never heard a lot about concussions," says Joe Reyda, Athletic Director at Gonzaga. "The players are bigger, stronger, faster now.  That may be why we hear more about why concussions are coming into play."

Reyda is very proactive about preventing players from playing hurt.  He makes all athletes at Gonzaga, who participate in contact sports, take an "Impact Test."

At the beginning of the season, before athletes hit the field,  they take the computerized test that lasts about 20 minutes.  The players answer basic word association and pattern questions.  Then if a coach suspects a player might be hurt, the athlete has to take the test again.  If the scores are off, the player is pulled and required to get medical attention.

This is what happened to Andrew.  He had to sit it out a week before he could suit up again.  And this is the minimum most doctors recommend.

"So I just had to wait it out. Now it's all good. I'm fine," says Andrew.

Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away.

Here are some signs of concussion:

• Is confused about assignment or position
• Forgets an instruction
• Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
• Moves clumsily
• Answers questions slowly
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows behavior or personality changes
• Can't recall events prior to hit or fall
• Can't recall events after hit or fall
• Headache or "pressure" in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Concentration or memory problems
• Confusion
• Does not "feel right"