Understanding the Impact of Multiple Concussions

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a serious concussion after a headfirst collision with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during a Thursday night football game. As he lay on his back, Tagovailoa's right arm was observed to be extended upward with his fingers curled, a reflex known as "the fencing position" that happens after a serious brain injury. It was his third diagnosed concussion after he suffered two back-to-back during the 2022 season.

Keep reading to learn more about the long-term health risks associated with multiple concussions and how to protect your head.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when the brain bounces within the skull. It can happen when two players collide on the field, as with Tua Tagovailoa and Damar Hamlin. Concussions can happen to children, teens and adults alike, such as when a child stumbles and hits their head on the ground, an accident at a youth sports game or during a bicycle or car accident, to name a few of endless potential causes.

It's important to remember that concussions aren't limited to the football field.

Our physicians see concussions from falls and head impacts on and off the field, including physical education class, recess at school and home accidents.

A concussion changes how the brain functions, but it doesn't necessarily change its structure, meaning that a brain can look normal after a concussion. But what about when it comes to multiple concussions?

The Impact of Multiple Concussions

The brain performs billions of chemical reactions during normal life to help us think, feel and accomplish daily tasks. Concussions interrupt the brain's ability to do these jobs well.

While one concussion is unlikely to cause long-term problems, experts note that repeated head injuries can increase the risk for long-term health issues, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a neurodegenerative disorder that's associated with changes in mood, behavior and cognition. Who goes on to develop CTE and other long-term health challenges after a head injury is unpredictable.

The severity of a concussion isn't known until the person recovers. Feeling better within a week indicates a mild concussion while struggling with neurological issues months or years later means it was severe.

Long-term complications of multiple concussions can include:

• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Memory loss

Signs and Symptoms of Concussion

When even one concussion is sustained, a range of symptoms may be noticed. What an outside observer notices can differ from what the individual suffering from a concussion reports. Here are some of the signs to watch for at the time a concussion occurs and the days following:

Symptoms Reported by Concussion Patients:

• Headache or pressure in the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Ringing sound in ears
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Double or blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish or groggy
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Confusion or trouble concentration
• Memory problems
• Feeling "off" or down

Symptoms Commonly Observed by Others:

• Appearing dazed or stunned
• Confusion about an instruction, assignment, score or opponent
• Clumsy movement
• Delayed response time
• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
• Mood, behavior or personality changes
• Problems with memory (for example, can't recall events surrounding the injury)

You might be unable to tell that a concussion occurred from the outside, so thorough examination and monitoring are crucial, especially within the first 24 hours. If a concussion is suspected, seek immediate medical attention. Even seemingly minor bumps to the head can lead to complications and long-term damage.

Detection of concussion is critical; it's not enough to return to normal activity just because we feel good that day. How we feel and how our brains function is not necessarily the same. There's often a lag time of one to two days between when people feel better and when their brains perform normally.

Objective brain function tests, balance and symptoms should be considered when choosing the right time to return to activity safely. Therapies and medications can also be used in certain circumstances when needed.

Concussion Prevention

Bike helmets are among the most important safety equipment, as they can prevent or lessen the severity of brain injuries, cuts and scrapes. Since kids grow so fast, this equipment should be checked to ensure it fits properly.

Finally, remember that your seatbelt is one of the most basic safety equipment.

Though all sports and physical activities come with some risk of injury, that doesn't mean they should be avoided altogether. With our combined efforts, we can continue to enjoy sports' many physical and emotional benefits while minimizing the risk of injury or long-term complications.

The health, social and emotional benefits of being active are tremendous. The goal is to gain health benefits from the activity and stay protected from injury.

Heads Up for Whole-Person Care

To learn more about concussion prevention, or if you think you might have one, connect with one of our world-class providers closest to you and schedule an appointment. You deserve to feel whole.

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