1. Heads, Helmets, and Health Concussions Awareness is the Key

3. The brain contains many neurons that act on parts of the body to perform functions

4. ALL parts of the brain must be functioning properly for the brain to be functioning well

6. Since 2000, a total of 169,838 service members have sustained a TBI in combat

8. Common Misconceptions You must loose consciousness to sustain a traumatic brain injury A helmet will protect against a traumatic brain injury Symptoms are gone means the patient is healed completely

9. Signs and Symptoms Fluid coming out of ears or nose Loss of consciousness or not alert, possible sluggish or extra tired Dilated or unequal size of pupils Vision changes (blurred vision or seeing double, not able to tolerate bright light, loss of eye movement, blindness) Dizziness, balance problems Paralysis, difficulty moving body parts, weakness, poor coordination, numbness or tingling Slow pulse, slow breathing rate, with an increase in blood pressure Vomiting Headache Ringing in the ears, or changes in ability to hear Difficulty with thinking, memory problems, poor judgment, poor attention span or Inappropriate emotional responses (irritability, easily frustrated, inappropriate crying or laughing) Difficulty speaking, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing Loss of bowel control or bladder control

10. National Academy of Neuropsychology Concussion Grading System Grade 1 No LOC Transient confusion Symptoms (e.g., headaches and dizziness) and mental status changes (e.g., befuddlement, inability to focus attention, or post-traumatic amnesia) resolve in less than 15 min LOC 1⁄4 loss of consciousness. Grade 2 No LOC Transient confusion Symptoms or mental status changes last more than 15 min Grade 3 LOC (seconds or minutes) LOC- Loss of Consciousness

11. Facts about Helmets The only standardized test on helmets today assesses whether a helmet might allow a skull fracture, not a concussion or injury to the brain New helmets have been test on impact and show to reduce the risk but can not prevent concussions The test have not been conducted on rotational forces which is a leading cause of concussions Virginia Tech released new data as of May 10, 2011 stating that Riddell Revolution Speed is the top rated helmet, rating 5 stars on their scale that has combined information of the previous 8 years More than 40% of the NFL wore a model of helmet that receive only two stars on Virginia Tech’s scale

12. Awareness of Concussions in Sports NATA/National Academy of Neuropsychology Team up on Campaign to Raise Concussion Awareness http://vimeo.com/15026404

13. Effects of Concussions on the Body The effects of one or multiple concussions can have lasting affects on the body Study shown that 41% of concussed athletes in 100 high school across the United States return too soon Research is showing that repeated trauma to the brain can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy Seen in many NFL player who have died and or committed suicide http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/sports/14football.html

14. Secondary Impact Syndrome Occurs with an individual who has already sustained a brain injury sustains a second before the symptoms have cleared The second impact results in the brains inability to auto regulate its blood supply resulting in intracranial pressure and herniation of the brain The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research Foundation has reported 35 cases of Secondary Impact Syndrome from 1980-1993 in American Football alone.

15. Real Life The Lasting Effects of Secondary Impact Syndrome This video is a grim picture of life when the affects of a brain injury are unknown and undiagnosed E:60 Second Impact http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0xJT53SZqQ

16. Key Points Knowledge and diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury is the key Do not return to play until ALL post concussion symptoms are GONE Conditions like Secondary Impact Syndrome are preventable

17. Resources –Get Informed There are many organizations that conduct and release information about concussion and their affects. The best way to prevent injury is to become informed National Academy of Neuropsychology National Athletic Trainers Associate Society for Neuroscience

18. Links to Resources http://www.biausa.org/living-with-brain-injury.htm http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/sports/football/10helmets.html http://www.nata.org/health-issues/concussion http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2011/may/10/virginia-tech-ranks-football-helmets-concussion-sa-ar-1028927/ http://healthland.time.com/2011/05/10/study-ranks-10-football-helmets-for-concussion-safety/ http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPUZ00Cjb0OggtJiK-NUIEKUYh7Q?docId=ab1815f44de74bb78cdb2db28d29b4ea http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1873131,00.html http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/FamMed/ContentImages/PDF/Concussion.pdf