21°c Partly cloudy
10°c Sunny
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
In new guideline, neurologists say experts should evaluate athletes with suspected concussions
NEW YORK, N.Y. - When athletes are suspected of having a concussion, they should be taken out of action immediately, new guidelines from a major medical group say.
The American Academy of Neurology said athletes shouldn't resume playing until they've been fully evaluated and cleared by a doctor or other professional with concussion expertise.
The recommendations issued Monday generally agree with a brief position paper the academy issued in 2010, but add details on evaluation and management. The guidelines are based on a comprehensive review of scientific research.
Sports concussions have gained a new public focus in recent years because of concern over the risk of developing long-term mental impairment. Thousands of former pro football players are suing the NFL and its teams, saying that for years the NFL did not do enough to protect players from concussions.
The new advice replaces guidelines published 15 years ago. Those recommended grading the severity of concussions at the time of injury to determine possible time frames for return to play. Now the group emphasizes more individualized assessment and management of the injury.
Research showed the grading system didn't relate to outcome, and that nobody can predict how long recovery will take, explained Dr. Christopher Giza of the University of California, Los Angeles, an author of the new guidelines.
The new document says athletes should not be allowed back in action if they show any symptoms. And it says athletes of high school age or younger with a diagnosed concussion should be managed more conservatively than older athletes when it comes to allowing a return to play.
Dr. David Dodick, a concussion expert at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix who was familiar with highlights of the new document, said they contain "no great revelations" beyond what experts know already. He noted that the guidelines state that the first 10 days after a concussion are the period of highest risk for being diagnosed with a second concussion, and that younger athletes take longer to recover from the injury.
Since getting a second concussion before the first is healed can lead to a long period of disabling symptoms, that is good guidance for doctors who have to decide when young athletes can return to play, he said in a telephone interview.
___
Online:
Sports concussion information: http://www.aan.com/concussion
___
Malcolm Ritter can be followed at http://www.twitter.com/malcolmritter
More Your Health
- Back to Top
- Return to Your Health
More Your Health
(1 of 22 articles for today)
Family members want RCMP to do more for officers with post-traumatic stress
4:32 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Your Health
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- New Brunswick discouraging new family doctors from practising: medical residents
- Measles outbreaks flourish in UK years after discredited research tied measles shot to autism
- Baker's cyst A sign of something else
- Avoid herpes -- make love like a porcupine
- Illicit drug users in Abbotsford, B.C., sue to back demands for health services
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Saved by the kettlebell
- Active transportation declines: Fewer kids commuting by foot, bike, report finds
- No evidence cycle helmet laws reduce head injuries: study
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Measles outbreaks flourish in UK years after discredited research tied measles shot to autism
- New Brunswick discouraging new family doctors from practising: medical residents
- Baker's cyst A sign of something else
- Three companies recall antipsychotic drug quetiapine: Health Canada says
- Avoid herpes -- make love like a porcupine
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Opposition wants inquest into death of woman who left Winnipeg hospital ER
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Baby delivery: safe haven baby drop-off sites open in Edmonton hospitals
- Boston Marathon bombing victims face huge medical bills; tens of millions in donations pour in
- Angelina Jolie's double mastectomy: Q&A
- Pharmacy assistant who found diluted cancer drugs says label raised questions
- Auditor general takes aim at residential schools, diabetes prevention
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Hockey commentator Kelly Hrudey shares daughter's struggle with mental illness
- Biomedical engineer designs exercises, tests to battle Alzheimer's
- Baker's cyst A sign of something else
- No evidence cycle helmet laws reduce head injuries: study
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Ontario Nurses Association seeks moratorium on cuts to registered nursing jobs
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Canadian dies with aid of doctor in Zurich; wished it could have been in Canada
- Avoid herpes -- make love like a porcupine
- Three companies recall antipsychotic drug quetiapine: Health Canada says
- Measles outbreaks flourish in UK years after discredited research tied measles shot to autism
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Biomedical engineer designs exercises, tests to battle Alzheimer's
- AGING AMERICA: Poll finds people in denial about the need for long-term care as they get older
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Kidney problems price we pay for progress
- Natural medicine best for lowering cholesterol
- Hockey commentator Kelly Hrudey shares daughter's struggle with mental illness
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Knee repair? Study finds physical therapy as good as surgery for torn cartilage, arthritis
- Federal Court tells Ottawa to reimburse First Nation for disabled child's costs
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.