Concussions are head injuries caused by a blow to the head and can result in brain damage. Sometimes a victim suffers varying states of consciousness, or none at all. There also may be confusion, dizziness, and memory loss.
Victims of mild concussion are typically high school athletes between ages 13 and 18 who play contact sports, suggesting greater vulnerability to severe injury in that age group, Lovell points out. Mild concussions are the most common types of concussions and are frequently overlooked or unrecognized because the player often returns to play during the same game or match.
Animal studies have shown that changes in brain chemistry persist seven days or more after mild injury. Studies have also suggested that if the brain has not had time to heal, it will be more susceptible to further, more serious damage. But current return-to-play guidelines frequently used nationwide suggest a player return to the field after mild concussions if symptoms disappear after 15 minutes.
Even Mild Concussions Cause Memory Loss in High School Athletes
