Join Club

Wellness Matters: The Hidden Dangers of Head Injuries

Wellness Matters banner

The following weekly column is written and sponsored by Virginia Hospital Center, a proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and one of America’s 100 Top Hospitals for the third year in a row.

With football and soccer season in full swing, so is the risk of sports-related head injuries. Concussions are the most common brain injury, affecting up to four million people a year. A concussion occurs when the brain is jarred or shaken hard enough to bounce against the skull. Common causes include a fall, a collision or a direct blow to the head.

Concussions range from mild to severe, and so do the symptoms. “Because the signs of a concussion are often subtle, some people have concussions and don’t realize it,” says Dr. M. Anthony Casolaro, Head Team Physician, Washington Redskins and President, Medical Staff at Virginia Hospital Center. “An undiagnosed concussion is potentially dangerous, so it’s important that people learn to identify the symptoms and recognize when to seek medical treatment.”

Concussion Basics

Contact sports such as soccer, football, rugby and hockey increase the risk of head injury and concussion. The best treatment for concussion is prevention and early recognition. Here’s some basic information that players, parents, coaches and teammates should know:

  • Wear appropriate headgear. The right helmet or other protective equipment can help prevent physical trauma to the head. Make sure the equipment fits properly and is well maintained.
  • Learn to recognize the signs of concussion. They include dizziness, headache, nausea, sleepiness, irritability, light sensitivity, visual spatial problems, poor concentration and short-term memory difficulty.
  • Share your symptoms. Athletes need to report when they have symptoms, such as seeing stars or feeling dizzy.
  • When in doubt, sit it out. If a concussion is suspected, stop playing and get medical attention right away. Players who stay in the game and suffer another concussion within a short interval are at risk for a severe neurological condition.
  • Rest your brain. Rest is the most appropriate way to allow your brain to recover from a concussion. For the first few days after a concussion, avoid physical or mental exertion. Reduce screen time, including smartphones, computers, video games and TV. Limit visitors and stimulation.
  • Don’t rush your recovery. Avoid physical exertion, including sports or any vigorous activities, until symptoms are gone. Return to play gradually and work back up through light activity, aerobic activity, non-contact practice and contact activity. At each stage, evaluate for symptoms.

Remember, an emergency is a condition that is considered life-threatening or could cause impairment. If you experience a serious injury to your head, call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department. You should then seek follow-up treatment with your primary care physician who will determine next steps.

To find a primary care physician, go to Virginia Hospital Center Physician Group – Primary Care.

The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

Recent Stories

Morning Notes

Alexandria Arena Nixed — “The City of Alexandria just announced that the city is ending negotiations related to the Potomac Yard Entertainment District and ‘the proposal will not move forward.’”…

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar. 🕗 News recap The following articles were published earlier today…

Arlington is receiving nearly $300,000 in federal funds to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay. The money is part of a much larger $206 million federal grant given to the National…

Schedule your tour today to see The Grace and Reva residences in National Landing. Located in the heart of the neighborhood’s vibrant food scene on Crystal Drive, these two residential…

Award-winning drag queen Tara Hoot is bringing her Family Fun Story Time Brunch to Arlington at Freddie’s Beach Bar! Saturday April 6 at noon! Join Tara for songs, stories, puppets, bubbles and joy! It’s not just stories, it’s a SHOW that’s perfect for kids and kids at heart–fun for everyone! Plus a tasty brunch at Freddie’s! Click the link and make your reservations now! ❤️ 🫧 🌈

Submit your own Announcement here.

The Summer 2024 STEAM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math) Fellowship application is now open! Apply by April 15 to be considered!

The STEAM Workforce Development Teacher Fellowship provides Arlington Public Schools (APS) high school, middle school, and elementary school teachers with opportunities to learn about workplace needs in STEAM-related fields and for them to use the experience to enhance student learning to match workplace expectations in a selected industry. STEAM Fellows participate in a three-week summer fellowship, receiving a $4,000 stipend upon completion.

Applicants planning to pursue a fellowship in the arts must demonstrate how they will build connections between the arts and science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

Click the button to learn more, share, apply, and see the variety of fellowships completed in previous years.

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

ACFCU’s Homebuying 101: Steps to Getting Pre-Approved

Are you ready to jump into homeownership, or have you started considering it but don’t know where to start?

Financial preparation is key when thinking about purchasing your first home and the first step to getting pre-approved. Join ACFCU for

Free Right-Sizing Workshop – How to Get Rid of Your…

Cody Chance and Dick Nathan of Long & Foster are hosting a free workshop at our office on Cherry Hill Rd. (formerly Lee Highway) on the topic of “down-sizing” Thursday, March 28 from 5:30-7:30. We have created a workbook with

×

Subscribe to our mailing list