Be Proactive with Concussions
October 22, 2019
Henry Ford Health System
Most people have seen the headlines about concussions as a common sports injury, and it's natural that parents may be concerned for their young athlete.
A large misconception in sports is that previous concussions are to be blamed for ongoing headaches, blurred visions and memory loss, among other symptoms.
“It’s really important to think about concussions in concert with overall brain health,” says Jeffrey Kutcher, M.D., a sports neurologist who treats athletes at the Henry Ford Concussion and Sports Neurology Clinic. “Concussions can be concerning, but they shouldn’t be looked at in a vacuum. The best way to prevent brain injury begins before the injury occurs.”
One way to do that is to consult with your child’s doctor or a sports neurologist for an annual evaluation. A sports neurologist focuses on managing sports-related brain and nervous system injuries and conditions in athletes, such as concussions, post-concussion syndrome, peripheral nerve injuries, migraines, epilepsy, and more.
“Having an annual evaluation of your athlete’s brain function when they are healthy and uninjured can help diagnose and treat issues when they arise,” says Dr. Kutcher.
Results from the baseline test can be used as an important tool for comparison by a qualified healthcare professional later if an athlete has a suspected concussion.
Best Practices to Ensure Your Athlete Stays Safe
Dr. Kutcher shares these tips for parents to make sure you’re keeping your child’s brain health and safety – not just their athletic performance – at the forefront:
• Get a brain health baseline. A proper baseline test should include a personal and family neurological history, with a focus on any active issues. It is important to note any neurological conditions that may influence concussion recovery, such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, or migraine headaches.
• Teach your kid to listen to her or his body. With any sport, there is a calculated risk to play. Teaching kids to listen to and be honest about how their body is feeling is the best way to prevent and treat injuries.
• In the event of an injury, look for the signs. Within 24 hours after an injury, an athlete should be evaluated if they are experiencing:
· Headaches
· Fatigue
· Dizziness and nausea
· Changes in sleep habits
· Trouble with memory
· Confusion
· Irritability and anxiety
· Light sensitivity
• Brain injuries don’t just occur with a blow to the head. They can also occur from falls, car accidents, or even through whiplash. If your child is experiencing any symptoms, be sure to consult your physician.
• Brain health is more than just concussions. If your athlete is complaining of chronic headaches, migraines, dizziness, memory or mood issues, there may be an underlying issue.
“There is no magic number of concussions a brain can sustain. Each individual is different,” Dr. Kutcher explains. “The impact severity and recovery time can greatly affect an athlete’s brain. By getting a baseline before the injury, we can establish a goal to work towards in recovery.”
Want to learn more? Henry Ford Health System sports medicine experts are treating the whole athlete, in a whole new way. From nutrition to neurology, and from injury prevention to treatment of sports-related conditions, they can give your athlete a unique game plan.
Visit henryford.com/sports or call (313) 972-4216 for an appointment within 24 business hours.
Coach's Guide to Nutrition: Pre-Workout Snacks
September 10, 2024
Heading into practice or a game under-fueled may take away from athlete performance. Encourage student-athletes to not only eat regularly throughout the day, but to have a small, carbohydrate-focused snack about 30-60 minutes before activity. This will top off their energy stores so they are ready to hit the field.
Pre-workout snacks don’t have to be complicated. Choose easy, high-carb snacks that can be stored safely in a gym bag.
Snacking can be detrimental when done out of boredom or in place of regular, balanced meals. But, for an athlete, healthy snacks can aid performance and recovery.
In planning to eat every 3-4 hours, a mid-morning snack may be ideal. Having a snack in the hour or two before practice and in the ‘window of opportunity’ following practice can help maintain energy levels and ensure proper recovery.
Work with your athletes to create simple snacks that are easy to transport. Encourage athletes to include a carb and protein in each snack when possible. Fresh fruit, granola bars with 8-10 grams of protein, or trail mix that includes nuts/seeds and dried fruit are easy to keep in a gym bag and relatively affordable. A small cooler with an ice pack is a great way to keep snacks cold and fresh.
Snacks are important to maintain energy between meals, before exercise and after workouts. Snacks before and after exercise help performance as well as aid optimal recovery. Try to include carbs and protein in every snack.
Information above is excerpted from UDIM’s A Coach’s Guide to Nutrition.