GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — High school football season is here and local health officials want students and their coaches to be mindful of head injuries.
Even if you don’t get knocked unconscious, other symptoms of head injury include headaches, sensitivity to light/sound, fatigue, nausea, etc.
Mark Husen with the athletic training department at Bellin Health says baseline and post injury testing after a hit to the head helps athletes know the severity of their injury, and when they can return to play.
“It’s a cognitive test asking questions regarding memory, words, numbers, calculations,” said Husen. “And then they try to compare the results after a hit to what you had as a baseline.”
Treatment for concussions looks different in each case, but can include regulating sleep, limiting electronics and avoiding strenuous activities.
Without proper treatment, athletes put themselves at risk for second impact syndrome.
“After a head injury, the the nerves in your brain are just more sensitive,” said Husen. “So you might get a light hit to your head or a small bump, and you get symptoms that are a lot worse that will affect your balance, headaches and noise and light sensitivity.”
Second impact syndrome can even be fatal.
Husen says the best was to prevent a head injury is to be aware of your surroundings so you don’t accidentally cause an injury.
To learn more about head injury management, click here.
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