The ever expanding medical evidence documenting the harmful effects of concussions has caused serious concerns about sports-related concussions in youth athletes. One particularly serious concern is an event that can happen in rare instances in young people who suffer a second concussion while still in the process of recovering from a previous concussion. Aptly called “Second Impact Syndrome” or “SIS,” it can result in catastrophic brain swelling that typically leads to death or severe permanent disability.
Second Impact Syndrome has a staggering 90 percent mortality rate. Victims who beat the odds and survive are usually left with serious permanent disabilities such as severe cognitive issues or being unable to talk or walk. Doctors believe that the risk of Second Impact Syndrome is limited to high-school and college-aged individuals whose brains have not finished …show more content…
The rules of play are changing to reduce instances of helmet to helmet contact and efforts are ongoing to develop helmets that will provide better protection against concussions. Parents are being educated and discouraged from pressuring coaches to put their children back into games. Youth athletes are being encouraged to report any symptoms to coaches and parents. Ultimately, however, most people believe that it is the coaches and trainers of young athletes that must bear the principal responsibility for monitoring players, removing players with possible head injuries, and requiring those players to be evaluated and treated by competent medical professionals before allowing them to resume play. In addition, school districts and organizers of youth sports programs need to be responsible for making sure their coaches and trainers are educated about concussions and for implementing detailed concussion policies providing information and guidance for coaches, trainers, players and
Second Impact Syndrome has a staggering 90 percent mortality rate. Victims who beat the odds and survive are usually left with serious permanent disabilities such as severe cognitive issues or being unable to talk or walk. Doctors believe that the risk of Second Impact Syndrome is limited to high-school and college-aged individuals whose brains have not finished …show more content…
The rules of play are changing to reduce instances of helmet to helmet contact and efforts are ongoing to develop helmets that will provide better protection against concussions. Parents are being educated and discouraged from pressuring coaches to put their children back into games. Youth athletes are being encouraged to report any symptoms to coaches and parents. Ultimately, however, most people believe that it is the coaches and trainers of young athletes that must bear the principal responsibility for monitoring players, removing players with possible head injuries, and requiring those players to be evaluated and treated by competent medical professionals before allowing them to resume play. In addition, school districts and organizers of youth sports programs need to be responsible for making sure their coaches and trainers are educated about concussions and for implementing detailed concussion policies providing information and guidance for coaches, trainers, players and