Research has improved the understanding of brain injuries and doctors need to stay current, says a prominent Canadian expert on concussion. Doctors are key in diagnosing and managing concussions, and preventing the injured from returning to high risk activities too soon wrote Dr. Charles Tator, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Toronto in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Concussions are common in Canada, said Tator, because Canadians are very active, they play sports like hockey and football aggressively, and they drive frequently and often too fast. “We now recognize concussion as a major public health issue,” said Tator.
Not only doctors but coaches, teacher, participants and the general public need to understand brain injury to help prevent, recognize and manage it, believes Tator. He founded the not for profit group ThinkFirst Canada to help raise awareness.
understand new facts about concussion.
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Blows to body can cause concussion
People need to understand, for example, that you don’t need to hit your head to get a concussion. Blows to other parts of the body can cause brain injury. Women and young children may be at more risk.
There is a spectrum of brain injury, said Dr. Tator. People can recover from minor concussions in days or it might take months, even years. In the worst cases they can lead to a form of brain degeneration.
Prevention is key, he believes. Measures that would help would involve ensuring sports are played according to the rules. Tator thinks head injuries could be eliminated in sports like hockey and football.
Better awareness would also help prevent repeated brain injuries. Once a person has had one concussion, their chances of having another increase.
Understanding new facts critical
“I think the most important message is that the picture of concussion has changed,” said Tator. “Even the definition of concussion has changed so that we have to be aware that any symptom that persists after a blow to the head or even a blow to another part of the body can result in concussion. We all have to know how to suspect a concussion.”
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