Concussions are a serious problem in all contact sports, and the equipment used by athletes falls short of protecting the brain, said Dr. Scott Johnson, a board-certified family practice physician at Sports Orthopedics and Spine.

With football season in full swing, it’s important for coaches and players to be able to recognize the signs of concussions, Dr. Johnson said. It’s the best way to protect athletes from further injury.

“Contact sports have an inherent risk of concussions,” he said. “We only have one brain, and we have to take the best care of the one brain we have.”

A concussion is a traumatic injury - it’s a functional disturbance of the brain that generally resolves itself in 10 days to two weeks. It occurs when the brain is shaken violently inside the skull, which most often happens in contact sports when a player experiences a blow to the head or rotates suddenly.

But because of the nature of concussions, athletic equipment cannot prevent them, Dr. Johnson said. “Helmets and mouth guards prevent skull fractures and dental injuries, but they do not prevent concussions,” he said.

Proper technique, player conditioning and enforcing rules meant to protect players can help prevent concussions, Dr. Johnson said. However, they will always be a part of contact sports.

Recognizing the signs

Symptoms of concussions include headache, nausea, impaired vision, loss of memory, inappropriate emotions and a general feeling of fogginess. Dr. Johnson said people who suffer concussions often experience a combination of symptoms.

But the symptoms can be difficult to recognize, he added. People who suffer concussions must rely on an injured organ - their brain - to identify and understand the symptoms. And, athletes are notorious for wanting to get back on the field or court to help their teammates.

But, athletes should never play with a concussion. Beyond the fact that playing with a concussion could lead to a brain hemorrhage, it could lengthen the recovery period, Dr. Johnson said. Instead of the usual 10 to 14 days, recovery could last months.

Also, athletes who play with a concussion are at a greater risk of suffering another injury, such as a broken bone or torn ligament, Dr. Johnson said. Concussions impair brain function. They cause athletes to miss a step, lose focus and play at a much-reduced capacity.

Suffering multiple concussions

For high school athletes, Dr. Johnson said they can generally suffer one concussion and return to play at some point later in the season. If they suffer a second concussion in the same season, they should sit out a full calendar year.

If they suffer a third concussion in a year’s time, they should find another sport. “Give it up,” Dr. Johnson said.

Those guidelines change for college and professional athletes, who play for higher stakes on a much bigger stage, he said. “The younger an athlete is, the more conservative you are with him in his return to play.”

The science around concussions is advancing, and the medical community has a better understanding of them, Dr. Johnson said. But there are still many questions and uncertainties, especially with the long-term effects of one or many concussions.

One thing that is known, however, is that athletes who suffer a concussion are at a higher risk of suffering another concussion. “The more concussions you have, the more likely you are to suffer another concussion with a smaller hit.”

Treatment

Dr. Johnson said it’s critical for players to have their treatment managed by a knowledgeable doctor - like the physicians at Sports Orthopedics and Spine. “If you suffer a concussion, go see somebody who knows what they’re talking about when it comes to concussions,” he said.

Clinics like Sports Orthopedics and Spine can administer a neuropsychological test to determine the effects of the concussion and help doctors determine when an athlete is ready to return to the field. Dr. Johnson added, however, that testing shouldn’t be the only factor in determining when an athlete can play again.

Proper management is important, but many people rely on out-of-date guidelines to determine when athletes can return to play, Dr. Johnson said. Players and coaches should be educated about the risks associated with the injury and further harm that can be done if a player returns too early.

In a nutshell, Dr. Johnson said, do not return to play the same day after suffering a concussion. Go see a professional who understands current medical knowledge about concussions, and follow a gradual return-to-play program, he said.

And finally, don’t try to gauge the severity of the injury by the severity of a hit, he said. A concussed brain is a brain that no longer functions properly. There is no such thing as a “mild” concussion.

“A concussion is a concussion, and that is our medical approach.”