Posted on May 23, 2002 at 10:15 a.m.
Recognizing The Signs Of A Head Injury
STORY: An estimated 300,000 cases of sports-related concussions occur
annually in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. But the signs of a concussion aren’t always
obvious.
WHAT: “The biggest mistake parents and coaches make is that if the
child isn’t knocked unconscious or dazed and confused over an extended
period of time, they tend to dismiss the possibility of a concussion,”
said University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) psychologist Paul D.
Blanton, Ph.D.
WHO: Paul D. Blanton, Ph.D., is director of Clinical Neuropsychology
Services for the Department of Surgery/Division of Neurosurgery and
director of the new UAB Sports-Related Concussion Clinic and Research
Program.
HOW: The more subtle signs of a concussion can include irritability,
headache and drowsiness. “There’s a tendency for parents to not
connect these symptoms with a concussion,” Blanton said. He is
prepared to discuss:
• How to recognize the more subtle signs of a concussion
• When to see a doctor
• What questions parents should ask their child’s coach
• When should a child reenter the game and who should make that
decision
BACKGROUND
The UAB Sports-Related Concussion Clinic and Research Program offers
advanced diagnosis and management of sports-related concussion,
assessment to help determine when it is safe for an injured player to
return to practice or competition and education on the subject for
interested athletes, coaches, trainers and parents. For more
information, call the UAB Sports-Related Concussion Clinic at
205-934-3537.
CALL: Gail Short, Media Relations, 205-934-8931/gshort@uab.edu or Bob
Shepard, Media Relations, 205-934-8934/bshep@uab.edu.
(more)
ADD ONE/Sports
Keep the Fluids Flowing
STORY: Remember to keep well hydrated as you work or exercise
outdoors. Thirst is not always a good indicator of hydration status.
Serious health consequences could result from poor hydration.
WHO: Suzanne Henson, M.S., R.D., registered dietitian with the UAB
Department of Nutrition Sciences.
HOW: “In children, the thirst mechanism is not fully developed and in
seniors, the sense of thirst has diminished. By the time your brain
signals thirst, you may have lost 1 percent of your body weight or
about 3 cups of sweat for a 150 pound person. A 2 percent loss may
reduce your work capacity by 10-15 percent.” Henson says a
well-hydrated person’s urine will be almost clear. Darker urine is a
warning sign of dehydration.
CALL: Gail Short, Media Relations, 205-934-8931/gshort@uab.edu or Bob
Shepard, Media Relations, 205-934-8934/bshep@uab.edu.
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www.uab.edu
NOTE: We are the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Please use UAB
on second reference. We are not to be confused with the University of
Alabama, which is a separate, independent campus.
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