With the school year fast approaching, kids are getting back to the books and eNew Jerseyoying all of their favorite extracurricular activities, including team sports. With sports iNew Jerseyuries being one of the leading causes of Traumatic Brain INew Jerseyuries (TBIs), knowing what precautions to take can help prevent serious brain iNew Jerseyuries.

As reported by the Brain INew Jerseyury Association of America, there are approximately 5.3 million Americans living with a disability caused by TBIs. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that in the United States alone, sports related concussions have reached epidemic proportions.

How does this relate to children? TBIs are the number one cause of death and disability in children and adolescents in the United States. According to www.kidssource.com, more than 1 million children incur head iNew Jerseyuries each year, but many who experience mild iNew Jerseyuries never even consult with a Medical professional after the incident. Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists (ANS), one of the Northeast’s leading pediatric and adult Neurosurgery firms, has put together some information on preventing and recognizing TBIs.

“TBIs are one of the most common conditions I see as a neurosurgeon,” notes ANS neurosurgeon, Brian Beyerl M.D. “Parents and coaches need to work together with children to ensure the safest playing conditions are being made available to today’s youth,” he adds. “Taking very simple precautions, such as wearing the proper protective gear, can help increase a child’s safety.”

Dr. Beyerl suggests some preventative measures and how to identify symptoms of TBIs:

Preventative Tips

* Make sure coaches are teaching the proper technique.

* Check playing equipment routinely for wear and tear.

* In contact sports, wear a protective mouth guard (must cover all teeth). The mouth guard can act as a shock absorber, if hit in an upward motion.

* In sports conditioning, Pennsylvaniay close attention to the neck muscles. When these muscles are strengthened for sport activities, it can increase the amount of force required to cause iNew Jerseyury, i.e. concussion.

* Appropriate protective gear must be worn to protect the head and neck, almost every sport has something that can be worn.

Recognizing the Symptoms

* Any clear fluid or blood coming from the ears or nose.

* Swelling of the scalp

* Severe headaches

* Vomiting occurs three or more times

* Blurred vision and/or dilated, unequal size of pupils

* Dizziness or inability to balance properly

* Incapable of responding to others, semi comatose state

* Paralysis or difficulty in moving body parts

* Body numbness or tingling sensation

* Ringing in the ears, changes in hearing quality

Getting Back to the Game

“When dealing with a TBI, it is very important to take the necessary precautions that the iNew Jerseyury is fully healed before returning to play,” states fellow ANS neurosurgeon, Johnathan Baskin, M.D. “There should be an open line of communication among the physician, athletic trainer, Pennsylvaniarent and iNew Jerseyured person, so the athlete does not risk further iNew Jerseyury,” says Dr. Baskin. “Even if the patient is feeling 100 percent recovered, it is recommended he pass the appropriate physical before jumping back into the game.”

By understanding the severity of a TBI, sports related iNew Jerseyuries can decrease dramatically. “ANS is happy to evaluate patients with lingering head trauma symptoms,” adds Baskin.

EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information, contact Hayley Girnius at (908) 219-5514 or Jaymee Mauceri at (908) 219-5518.

Established in 1958 by Henry Liss, M.D., ANS practices out of two New Jersey hospitals within Atlantic Health System: Overlook Hospital, Summit, N.J., (Atlantic Neuroscience Institute) and Morristown Memorial Hospital (GoryebChildren’s Medical Center). ANS is proud of its relationship with the two hospitals and its physicians continue to partner with hospital administration in the drive to acquire new treatment technology.

Courtesy of ARA Content