Concussions: AND CRANIAL NERVES:

What is a Concussion? A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when a blow or jolt to the head disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. Some athletes lose consciousness after a concussion, but others are just dazed or confused. A concussion is usually caused by a blow to the head, but can also occur due to whiplash.

Facts about Concussions: Twenty percent of all concussions are sports-related A concussion doesn’t always knock you out Having one concussion increases your chances of having another Symptoms of a concussion can last hours, days, weeks, months, or indefinitely Returning to contact or collision sports before you have completely recovered from a concussion may lead to more serious injury and can increase your chances of long-term problems 10% of all contact sport athletes sustain a concussion

Concussion Signs: SIGNS: (Observed by coach, parent, etc…) Change in appearance: Looks stunned or dazed Shows behavioral or personality changes Forgets plays he/she normally knows Confusion Slow to respond to questions Forgets what happened before (retrograde) the play Forgets what happened after (antrograde) the play

Concussion Symptoms: SYMPTOMS: (reported by the athlete) Headache Dizziness Nausea Ringing in Ears “Don’t feel right” Blurred vision or double vision Feeling “Dazed” Fatigue/Low Energy/tired Difficulty concentrating Sensitivity to Light or noise Memory Problems Sleep Disturbances/Trouble Sleeping

Evaluation: Now that you have noticed some signs and symptoms of a concussion...How can you check for a concussion?

12 Cranial Nerves: To get started just remember... One Orange Octopus Took Two Apples From A Giraffe’s Very Secret Hideout!

12 Cranial Nerves: 1. Olfactory 2. Optic 3. Occulomotor 4. Trochlear 5. Trigeminal 6. Abducens 7. Facial 8. Auditory 9. Glossopharyngeal 10. Vagus 11. Spinal Accesory 12. Hypoglossal

Cranial nerve functions: Olfactory: smell Optic: vision Occulomotor: pupil dilation Trochlear: eye movement Trigeminal: chewing/jaw movement Abducens: eye movement

Cranial nerve functions: Facial: facial movements Auditory: hearing and equilibrium Glossopharyngeal: swallowing Vagus: breathing and speech Spinal Accesory: shoulder movement Hypoglossal: tongue movement

Treatment: Now that you have determine that the athlete does have a concussion...what do you do next? CIF regulations: athlete must be removed from competition athlete must see a doctor

Second Impact Syndrome: An athlete that sustains a concussion is 4-6 times more likely to sustain a second concussion. Second impact syndrome can occur if a second concussion is sustained prior to the first concussion healing. Second concussion usually sustained with little force. 50% Mortality Rate

Return to Play: No exertional activity until asymptomatic at rest and with mental exertion. (This can take anywhere from 7-10 Days or longer to become fully asymptomatic) Then begin progressive return to play steps: Step 1: Light aerobic exercise such as walking or stationary bike, etc. No resistance training Step 2: Sport specific exercise may begin

Return to play: Step 3: Non contact training Step 4: Full contact training in practice session Step 5: Return to competition

ImPACT Testing: ImPACT stands for Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing It looks at different functions of the brain such as memory, brain processing speed, reaction time, attention as well as post- concussive symptoms This system takes the guess work out of when it is safe for an athlete to return to play