Super Bowl Mania Clouds the Concussion Issue

With Super Bowl madness winding down, the issue of concussion is coming up. And once again, we’re talking about the NFL.

I’m a great fan of football, and Sunday found me like it did 111.5 million other viewers – sitting in front of the TV watching the match-up between Seattle and New England. There were great plays and it was a great game. But as a physician certified in concussion management, I watched closely as the Patriot’s receiver, Julian Edelman, took a hard hit helmet-to-helmet in the fourth quarter. It was clear he was slow getting back on his feet. My concussion alarm went off. And then, despite the NFL’s big focus on reducing brain injuries, we saw Edelman go back into the game, finishing with the winning touchdown that gave the Patriot’s players a Super Bowl ring.

“Planned Return” – A New Concussion Strategy All Schools Should Adopt

Kudos to Trinity Christian Academy in Addison Texas. This school serves as a great example of how to strategically handle the aftermath of concussion among young athletes.

You may have heard the recent NPR story on this subject. For those who didn’t, here’s the condensed version.

A Trinity football player suffered a concussion during a game. For weeks after, he complained that his stomach hurt. He was tired all the time and felt pressure in his head. His doctor gave him some wise advice: No school, no football, no friends or electronics as long as these symptoms continue. The player was also told to be in a dark room and literally, “do nothing.”

What Happens When We Pay Attention to Concussions?

Concussion awareness has skyrocketed. And as we’re learning, it’s a good thing.

More school athletic departments are making players sit out following head injuries. More parents are seeking immediate medical treatment when their child suffers a head injury. And more lawsuits are targeting sports organizations at all levels – organizations that in the past, downplayed the serious nature of head injuries. And then there’s the media, where the number of concussion-related stories is growing exponentially.

Five Ways to Feel Better When You’ve Got the Flu

Okay, folks, it’s here. The flu is spreading across the country tsunami-style, wreaking havoc in the form of body aches, fever, sore throats, respiratory problems and generalized misery. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the annual flu map shows Texas as a state where the flu is already “widespread.”
Hopefully, you’ve gotten a flu vaccine. And maybe you’re washing your hands every time you return home from public places. But if the flu slipped in with the groceries or a neighbor, there are a few things you can do to feel better.

Suiting Up: Concussion Law Suits Are Going to High School

The jury is still out on what this might mean for high school football. But here’s the back story: On the heels of concussion lawsuits filed against the NFL and NCAA, this month, the same attorney who filed the NCAA class-action law suit has filed a class action suit against the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). And according to a CNN report, the attorney isn’t stopping with one state. He plans to sue every state high school athletic association in the country.

Let’s Clarify that Flu Shot Story

Yes, it is true that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), made a surprise announcement last week regarding flu vaccines. What you probably saw was a headline stating something along the lines of: “Flu Vaccine Not Effective for Most of This Year’s Cases.”

There was obviously more to that story. However, it concerns me that many people might believe that headline means you don’t need a flu shot this year because it’s not going to work. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Can You Be a Game-changer for San Antonio’s Young Athletes? Absolutely!

It’s pretty much their nature – team sports and injuries go together. But the rise in concussion awareness is making us all more vigilant about the broader issue of sports safety.

Over the last few years, there have been numerous studies and research on sports-related head injuries in young athletes. The findings have led to big changes in schools and local sports initiatives. Safety is increasingly becoming a priority – and a popular one at that.

Concussion Media Hype – It’s a Good Thing

A few weeks ago, CBS News aired a story that focused on the “unjustified fear of concussions.”

In the report, it was noted that there has been a decline in the number of kids playing sports. Blame was laid squarely on the shoulders of the media for too much hype over concussions. The report went so far as saying concussion hype is doing more harm than good by keeping kids out of sports.