In my past year of training, I have seen and heard stories about people suffering the effects of concussions more than I have ever had. Granted, concussions can happen in any contact sport really or any type of situation where the brain experiences trauma. The brain bounces off the skull, but what happens during and even after experiencing a concussion? Because of the complexity of the brain, everyone’s experience with conclusion will be different. Nonetheless, they are an injury that should be taken seriously and with precaution.
There was a study done a couple years back to see if scientists could figure out what happens in the brain at a molecular level in result to a concussion. The brain is quite hard to study due to it being protected by the skull and other protective walls. These scientists, at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, shaved away lab mices’ brains to a thin enough layer that a microscopic lens could see through. They did it in a way that the brain remained intact, which is vital in studying this specific topic.
From there, they imitated in reverse what happens to the brain as it endures the thumping impact from when it collides against the skull. They lightly compressed a portion of the skull towards the brain, while cameras positioned on top the thinned skulls, recorded the process in real time. This allowed the scientists to document everything that happened around and within the brain. As one result showed, some of the brain’s protective membranes became ripped during the impact of this specific concussion experiment. This leaves them leaky and opens up the brain for a potential influx of molecules.
The impact of the ripped membranes soon showed in this experiment. Free radicals soon passed right through the weakened membranes into the brain tissue, which resulted in the death of brain cells distant from where the original impact was. Scientists found this concerning as the damage showed to span across areas where the trauma didn’t directly occur. On the other hand, they figured they could use this knowledge to help with treatment. They concluded that if they could reduce the amount of free radicals entering the brain, that they could lessen the damage done. So in this train of thought, the scientists inserted a strong antioxidant(which soaks up free radicals) in the space between the brain and skull. As a result, they were right. Mice that were treated had 70% less damage than mice who were untreated.
Now this whole experiment can only be applied to mice, so its progress but its not applied on humans. Scientists are still looking into and finding ways to find ways to deal with this type of injury and how to treat it. Unfortunately, as long as you participate in contact sports, you are putting yourself at risk of experiencing a concussion. It is very important to know the signs and symptoms of a concussion, which are as follows :
Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
Temporary loss of consciousness
Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
Dizziness or “seeing stars”
Ringing in the ears
Nausea
Vomiting
Slurred speech
Delayed response to questions
Appearing dazed
Fatigue
Also, there are several complications that may factor in as well. Epilepsy, Post-concussion syndrome, Post-traumatic headaches, Post-traumatic vertigo, and Second impact syndrome. These all can cause serious problems and should never be taken lightly. The chemical levels in the brain are altered after a concussion, so it is important to remember everyone recovers from them at a different rate. if you do experience head trauma and have a concussion, the best and most important thin you can do is REST. Under no circumstances, should you jump back into training until you are examined by a doctor. It’s always good to be educated on injuries, and to know the impact they can have on you and your body.
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