Team Scorpion Wrestling Club

Concussion/Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Information

A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. In other words, even a ding or a bump on the head can be serious. You can’t see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away.

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

Headaches
Pressure in head
Nausea or vomiting
Neck pain
Balance problems or dizziness
Blurred, double, or fuzzy vision
Sensitivity to light or noise
Feeling sluggish or slowed down
Feeling foggy or groggy
Drowsiness
Change in sleep patterns
Amnesia
Don’t feel right
Fatigue or low energy
Sadness
Nervousness or anxiety
Irritability
More emotional
Confusion
Concentration or memory problems (forgetting game plays)
Repeating the same question/comment

Signs observed by teammates, parents and coaches include:

Appears dazed
Vacant facial expression
Confused about assignment
Forgets plays
Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
Moves clumsily or displays incoordination
Answers questions slowly
Slurred speech
Shows behavior or personality changes
Can’t recall events prior to hit
Can’t recall events after hit
Seizures or convulsions
Any change in typical behavior or personality
Loses consciousness

What can happen if my child keeps on playing with a concussion or returns to soon?

Athletes with the signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after that concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that adolescent or teenage athlete will often under report symptoms of injuries. And concussions are no different. As a result, education of administrators, coaches, parents and students is the key for student-athlete’s safety.

If you think your child has suffered a concussion

Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours. The new Zackery Lystedt Law in Washington now requires the consistent and uniform implementation of long and well-established return to play concussion guidelines that have been recommended for several years:

a youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time

and

may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed heath care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and received written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.

You should also inform your child’s coach if you think that your child may have a concussion Remember its better to miss one game than miss the whole season. And when in doubt, the athlete sits out.

For current and up-to-date information on concussions you can go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports/

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness:

What is sudden cardiac arrest? Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the
sudden onset of an abnormal and lethal heart rhythm, causing the heart to stop
beating and the individual to collapse. SCA is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
afflicting over 300,000 individuals per year.
SCA is also the leading cause of sudden death
in young athletes during sports
What causes sudden cardiac arrest? SCA in young athletes is usually caused by
a structural or electrical disorder of the heart. Many of these
conditions are inherited (genetic) and can develop as an adolescent or young adult.
SCA is more likely during exercise or physical activity, placing
student-athletes with undiagnosed heart conditions at greater risk. SCA also can occur
from a direct blow to the chest by a firm projectile (baseball, softball, lacrosse ball, or
hockey puck) or by chest contact from another player
(called “commotio cordis”).
While a heart condition may have no warning signs, some young athletes may have
symptoms but neglect to tell an adult. If any of the following symptoms are present, a
cardiac evaluation by a physician is recommended:

Passing out during exercise
Chest pain with exercise
Excessive shortness of breath with exercise
Palpitations (heart racing for no reason)
Unexplained seizures

A family member with early onset heart disease or sudden death from a heart
condition before the age of 40
How to prevent and treat sudden cardiac arrest? Some heart conditions at risk
for SCA can be detected by a thorough heart screening evaluation. However, all
schools and teams should be prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency. Young
athletes who suffer SCA are collapsed and unresponsive and may appear to have brief
seizure-like activity or abnormal breathing (gasping). SCA can be effectively treated by
immediate recognition, prompt CPR, and quick access to a defibrillator (AED).
AEDs are safe, portable devices that read and analyze the heart rhythm and provide
an electric shock (if necessary) to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Remember, to save a life: recognize SCA, call 9-1-1, begin CPR,
and use an AED as soon as possible!

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Concussion/Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Information