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You ask a very responsible question. The human brain is protected from injury by the skull bones. In addition, it is surrounded by fluid, the cerebrospinal fluid, which acts as an additional cushion. However, when a young athlete sustains a brain injury, the soft brain bounces up against the hard skull. This causes shearing injuries to the tiny nerve fibers and stretches or breaks the brain's
blood vessels. The result can be a concussion, defined as a temporary disturbance of brain function producing confusion, amnesia, loss of consciousness or disturbances of vision. Additional symptoms include headache, dizziness, impaired orientation and difficulties in
concentration.
It is sometimes difficult for your coach or parent to recognize a concussion. Sometimes you or other members of your team don't want to say anything for fear of being removed from the game.
And, other times you may have no idea that you have sustained a concussion.
According to the Brain Injury Association, there is a dangerous misconception that loss of
consciousness is necessary to identify a concussion. The Association stresses the importance of looking for other symptoms following a brain injury, such as a vacant stare, delayed verbal and motor responses, slurred speech,
poor coordination and nausea.
Even if the brain injury seems minor, a player who returns to the game prematurely risks a
more serious injury, known as second-impact syndrome. This condition occurs when the
athlete experiences a second brain injury before the first injury has healed. After sustaining one brain injury, the
risk for a second injury is three times greater; after a second injury, the risk for a
third is eight times greater!
The level of consciousness is the single most important indicator of brain injury severity. Athletes who lose consciousness, even momentarily, must be removed from the
contest. The next step, if the athlete is alert, is to test memory. Loss of memory
of the events just before the concussion is common. Loss of memory of events following the
concussion may suggest a more serious concussion.
Do you have a question?  As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Please read our full  .
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