Most people have heard of concussions. Those who play sports are familiar with this injury, which is why most people assume that hockey players are more likely to suffer from it. But is this true? How long are hockey players actually out with concussions? Let’s take a closer look.
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What Is A Concussion?
Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that occur during a sport. They are a complex issue, which is why it’s important to understand what exactly is going on when one sustains one. Here’s how the doctor’s office encyclopedia defines concussions:
“Concussions are neurological disorders that occur as a result of a direct impact to the head. Traumatic brain injuries are a big concern in sports, and they can have long-term effects on the health of the player who sustains them. They can also lead to more severe injuries such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
“The symptoms of a concussion usually appear immediately after the injury and can include headaches, confusion, difficulty focusing, and drowsiness. The severity of the symptoms will determine how long the player is out of action. In most cases, a concussion will heal itself, but it can take several weeks for the symptoms to disappear and for the player to be returned to their previous state of health. The longer the symptoms last, the more opportunities there are for the player to re-injure themselves. Therefore, it is essential that they play is maintained at a low level for the first year after their concussion.”
What does this mean in practical terms? Let’s say you’re a hockey player and you get hit in the head by a big, fast forward pass. You’ll most likely sustain a concussion, and you’ll have to take a few days off of work to recover. This is a simple concussion, and most people will recover without any problems. However, if you’re playing contact sports and get hit in the head again, your odds of suffering from another concussion increase. This is because your head is still healing, and it’s not strong enough to withstand another blow. While you’re healing, it’s important to maintain low concussion exposures by taking care of your body and avoiding direct impacts to the head. This way, you’ll have the best chance of avoiding more serious injuries.
Are Hockey Players More Likely To Sustain Concussions?
The popular belief is that hockey players are more likely to sustain concussions than other sports stars. This belief is mostly based on the large number of hockey players who have sustained serious brain injuries in the past and on the many cases of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) that have been associated with repeated head trauma. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the majority of cases of CTE have not been associated with playing hockey; rather, they have been linked to other contact sports like football or boxing. But this doesn’t mean that hockey isn’t dangerous. It just means that it’s important to understand the risks of all sports, including those who play hockey.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the severity of an impact doesn’t always determine whether or not you’ll sustain a concussion. It’s also possible for someone to sustain a concussion from a light bump or fall on the ice. It depends entirely on the impact and the position that you’re in at the time of the collision. So if you think that hockey is dangerous just because most of the cases of CTE have been associated with the game, then you should probably avoid contact sports altogether.
How Long Are Hockey Players Out With Concussions?
It’s important to know how long hockey players are out with concussions. Not all concussions are the same, and some can last a lot longer than others. The type of concussion that you sustain will determine how long you’re going to be sidelined. The doctor’s office encyclopedia lists the following symptoms as the ones that indicate a longer-lasting concussion:
- Progressive dementia
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Alcohol/drug abuse
- Depression
- Inability to concentrate
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
These are all common symptoms of a concussion. If you start experiencing these symptoms soon after a concussion, then it’s not a severe one and you should be able to return to play in a couple of days. But if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms a week or more after a concussion, then it could be a sign that the injury is more severe than you think and it’s time for you to seek medical help. Never, ever play through pain or continue playing when you’re feeling faint or sick. Trust your body and take a break from the game. You’ll be glad that you did.
In many cases, a concussion will heal itself. But it can take a while. It varies from person to person, but it usually takes about a week for the symptoms to disappear completely. During this time, it’s important to rest and avoid any strenuous activity. After the symptoms clear, it’s time to gradually increase your activities, starting with low-risk activities until you reach the point where you can participate in physical activities without fear of re-injury. This may take several weeks, but it’s worth it in the end.
How Is A Concussion Diagnosed?
Most people, when they hear the term “concussion,” automatically think of hitting the side of your head on the hard surface of the playing field. But concussions can occur in many different ways and from various body parts, so they must be diagnosed properly. There are several ways to diagnose a concussion:
- Imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI of the brain
- Detection of swelling in the brain by using a tool called a CT scan or MRI
- Blood tests to check for differences in the brain’s chemistry (such as the presence of certain proteins or neurotransmitters)
- Neurological examination, which is looking at how your body’s nerves are functioning
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, then it’s a safe bet that you’ve sustained a concussion. But it’s important to note that not all concussions are created equal, and it’s essential that you don’t confuse the two. Some concussions are more serious than others, and it’s up to you to ensure that you receive proper treatment, as soon as possible after being hit in the head.
When Can You Return To Play?
The rule regarding when a hockey player can return to play after sustaining a concussion is pretty simple: you can’t. Just like the player in the example above, most people who get hit in the head simply recover without problems and can return to play within a week or two. But if you experience any of the symptoms listed above, then it’s recommended that you take several weeks off of work to allow your body to recover. During this time, it’s important to rest and avoid any physical activity that might re-injure you. Once you’ve healed, it’s time to start working your way back into game shape. This means doing lots of gentle exercise and participating in low-risk activities until you’re feeling 100% again. After a couple of months of this, you can start gradually increasing your activity level, and if all goes well, you’ll be back to your pre-injury state of health in no time.
In most cases, people who get hit in the head fully recover without any long-term effects. But it can take some time, and it’s important to understand the risks that one faces by playing sports, especially ones that involve a lot of head contact. By taking care of your body and avoiding all head contact when you are not fully healed, you’ll have the best chance of avoiding concussions, and the risks that come along with them. If you do experience one, then it’s important to get medical help right away. This way, you’ll have the best shot at making a full recovery.