Guard our youth against concussions

By Kay Graber

--

On Dec. 7, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed into law a “return to play” bill requiring coaches of youth contact sports to immediately pull out a player with signs of concussion from competition. The player must have clearance from a doctor or health professional trained to monitor neurological health before competing again.

A concussion is not simply a blow to the head or “getting your bell rung,” as is commonly said; it needs to be taken seriously. Contrary to wide belief, most concussions don't result in loss of consciousness. Rather, symptoms may include confusion, memory loss, headaches, equilibrium, vision changes and other cognitive functions.

A concussion results in a disruption of the normal functioning of the brain and immediate chemical changes in the nerve cells. The brain often returns to normal within a week or so unless there are successive concussions. There's even a name for that: chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Since 2009, more than 2,000 National Football League players and nearly 10,000 retirees have stepped forward to acknowledge they have permanent damage from repetitive concussions (see report by the New York Times on Oct. 28. 2009: “NFL scolded over injuries to players”).

University of Iowa football fans got firsthand knowledge about concussions this year in watching running back Adam Robinson stagger one way and then another, as he was being helped off the field. Within two weeks, he was back and, bingo, another concussion.

It has become so common that a new verb has been coined by reporters: “he's been concussed … .”

Teenage brains are not so well developed as those of an adult; the potential for bruising and bleeding of the brain is far more likely with much less of an impact. The New Jersey law becomes the second in the nation, behind Washington, to recognize the need to take youth concussions seriously. Six more states have concussion legislation in the pipeline.

Shouldn't Iowa join that group?

Kay E. Graber of Cedar Rapids is a member of the board of directors for the Brain Injury Association of Iowa. Comments: kaygraber@mchsi.com