Post-concussion Syndrome

Yet another cause of chronic headaches, as people like Steve Young, Troy Aikman, former auto racer Ricky Craven, and other athletes can tell you, is post-concussion syndrome. As I write this article, the college football bowl season is in full swing. I'm an avid football fan so I spend a lot of time in front of the TV at this time of year, but I confess to some anxious moments when a player goes down and doesn't get right back up.

Concussion is a trauma that jars the brain inside the skull. It doesn't necessarily cause loss of consciousness although that is often the case. You've seen the trainers right in front of an athlete holding up two fingers or asking him questions. That's because concussion causes temporary confusion among other problems.

The victim may have a blank in his memory about what just happened, blurred vision, dizziness, speech difficulties, and/or a vacant stare.

I've seen an estimate that as many as 20% of high school football players suffer at least one concussion during a season and some have multiple concussions. That is definitely a concern since a second concussion has the potential to cause serious complications if the person hasn't fully recovered from the first one.

That's why Steve Young of the San Francisco 49er's hasn't played since his last concussion which happened on September 27th in a game against the Arizona Cardinals. He still refuses to discuss retirement but he is being pressured to retire, partly because of the salary cap, but mainly because of his history of concussions.

Troy Aikman of the Dallas Cowboys has had five concussions in his eleven year NFL career, which explains why I hold my breath every time he gets hit.

The one thing I don't understand is that helmets are constructed so as to protect against concussions, and yet those injuries seem to be more common every year. That fact, it seems to me, should tell the NFL something about the way the game is played these days. It should also say something to the high school coaches who encourage their players to gain weight and bulk up in the weight room.

Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome include ongoing problems with headache, fatigue, memory lapses, tiredness, poor concentration, and irritability. If you are experiencing chronic headaches and you have suffered a blow to the head, you should certainly consult your doctor about this possibility and meanwhile abstain from participation in sports.

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