Football Revealing the Consequences of Youth Head Injuries

November 27, 2012

Football Revealing the Consequences of Youth Head Injuries

Football is widely considered the most popular sport in America. From the Super Bowl to Friday Night Lights, football plays a large role for many families and communities. Youth football is as popular as ever; USA Football estimates almost 3 million kids under age 14 play tackle football. That number hasn't dropped in the last half-dozen years.

But as a contact-heavy sport, legitimate concerns exist regarding brain injuries caused by tackling. The science on brain injuries and their effects have greatly increased in recent years, and even one concussion or traumatic brain injury can lead to immediate and long-term health consequences.

Children Vulnerable to Head Trauma

Dr. Robert Cantu, a neurosurgeon specializing in child head trauma, recently told NPR that children are at high risk for concussions, as their brains are still developing, they have weak necks and less-developed musculature. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year at least 3,000 children and youth die from brain injury, 29,000 are hospitalized and 400,000 require emergency room treatment. Research is still being done, but the CDC speculates that traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of disability in children under age 14.

Causes and Symptoms of Concussions

While growing in public consciousness, football is by no means the only cause of youth head trauma. Car accidents, sports and tripping and falling are just a few common activities that may result in a traumatic brain injury.

The brain is protected from everyday bumps by cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull. For most light knocks this is sufficient to protect the brain. In a violent collision, however, the brain -- which is of a gelatinous consistency -- slams up against the skull and causes damage to the brain. Sudden acceleration or deceleration can also cause the same type of brain damage.

Symptoms that develop right away include dizziness, nausea, confusion and memory loss. In severe cases, the brain could bleed, which can be a fatal result of a brain injury. A second concussion before the first is resolved can lead to brain swelling and death.

Potential for Long-Term Damage

Including adults, over 1.7 million Americans receive a TBI each year, according to the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The school recently conducted a study that found even a single instance of TBI may have long-term effects. Survivors of a single incident of TBI showed an increase in "neurofibrillary tau tangles and amyloid-beta plaque pathology far beyond what was found in controls." Tau tangles and plaque are signs of Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Douglas Smith, Co-Lead Author of the study, wrote in a press release that a "single traumatic brain injury is very serious, both initially, and as we're now learning, even later in life."

Medical Needs

Traumatic brain injuries can cause devastating and lifelong consequences, including the potential for incredibly high medical costs. TBIs can also prevent sufferers from working.

Victims of personal injury accidents who have suffered a TBI should contact a personal injury lawyer who is experienced at handling cases involving traumatic brain injuries and has a proven track record of success to potentially obtain compensation for their TBI.

Article provided by Biren Katzman Trial Lawyers
Visit us at http://www.ca-truckinjurylawyers.com