Concussions have been a hot topic in the sports world over the past year.
With new research, some rules have been modified for the safety of athletes.
From the Ohio High School Athletic Association, if an athlete sustains a concussion during a sporting event/practice, he or she is NOT to return to physical activity until cleared by a medical professional.
Symptoms commonly noted from a concussion include but not limited to:
· Loss of consciousness
· Sleepy
· Headache
· Nauseated
· Personality changes
A person does not have to possess all of these symptoms to be classified as a concussion.
Lori Shelley, an athletic trainer from Cleveland Clinic Sports Health will initially evaluate and assess an athlete for a concussion. Decisions will be made for the athlete to either safely return to play or have a physician assess the concussed athlete.
To assist in decision making after a head trauma, Cleveland Clinic Sports Health department offers the athletes at Brush High School to take a baseline and a post concussion cognitive test. This test is highly recommended for all athletes. This allows the medical staff to assess the changes and make pertinent decisions regarding safe return to activity after a concussion.