(NAPSA)—According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.6 to 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries, such as con- cussions, occur each year. Most con- cussions go undiagnosed and untreated, which increasesthe risk of serious long-term effects in athletes. In light of the media’s recent attention on the NFL and NHL players’ lawsuits, parents might understandably be concerned for the safety of their children. Parents can protect their children by recognizing the signs of a concussion and following a few helpful tips. Signs To Watch For All concussions are serious. Call 911 or immediately take the athlete to the emergency room, after a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body, if the athlete has: An enlarged pupil Drowsiness A headachethat gets worse Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination Repeated vomiting or nausea Slurred speech Convulsions or seizures An inability to recognize peo- ple or places * Increasing confusion, restlessnessor agitation * Unusual behavior * Loss of consciousness. After a concussion, the brain needs time to heal. Athletes who have incurred a concussion have a greater risk of sustaining another. Repeat concussions, especially those that occur before full recovery, can increase the chances for severe issues laterin life. Safety-First Tips Three ways to help minimize the risks for brain injuries are: 1. Keep the lines of communica- tion open among parents, players and coaches. It’s important that all parties feel comfortable talking about concerns that arise, includ- ing pulling an athlete from play whenheorsheis hurt. 2.Make sure athletes always wearproper, well-fitted protective gear. A private coach can help children learn sports skills and build their confidence so they’re less likely to be injured at play. 3. Ensure that athletes follow the rules of their sport and practice proper technique, such as safe, “clean” tackles. Having suffered from multiple concussions himself, athlete and lacrosse coach Nick Stamas knows how easy it can be for an athlete to ignore or push through the symptomsof a concussion. “As an athlete, I had this mentality of ‘T can do it all.’ When it comes to concussions, you can’t be that way. You have to take a step back and listen to the professionals.” Through the help of CoachUp.com, Stamas coaches athletes on technique and safe play. CoachUp connects athletes with experienced private coaches for one-on-one and small-group coaching. Enlisting the help of a private coach can be a wise investment for parents. A private coach can help improve an athlete’s skill level and increasehis or her confidencein play. Just as important, a private coach can be a resource for an athlete to share injury concerns andseek training advice. Parents can help reduce the risk of brain injuries from sports by following these tips and by educating their children on concussion symptoms. Proper coach- ing and familiarity with con- cussion symptoms are keys to ensuring the healthy future of all athletes. Learn More More at www.coachup.com and (888) 680-4750.
