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FACTS: About Concussions 

A concussion is a brain injury that alters brain function and can cause a variety of symptoms and effects, ranging from temporary to permanent, including physical, cognitive and emotional impairment.  Often caused by a blow to the head, concussions can also occur when the head or upper body are violently shaken. Concussions are sometimes referred to as traumatic brain injury (TBI), mild tramatic brain injury (MTBI), mild brain injury or minor head trauma. Treatment currently includes monitoring by a medical practitioner and rest (both physical and mental). There is currently no cure for concussions. People who have had one concussion are believed to be more susceptible to another, particularly if a second injury happens before symptoms from the first have cleared.  

VIDEO: A Concussion Primer for Kids and Parents

   FACTS: Concussion Statistics
  • Annually, 3.8 million children and adults in the United States experience a sports-related concussion.
  • A Statistics Canada survey found there are about 30,000 concussions annually among the 12-19 year old age group, with 60% of those related to sports activity.
  • Concussion statistics are believed to be significantly understated because, for example, most sports-related concussions are never diagnosed because athletes may not recognize or report the symptoms of concussion.
  • Recent study says pediatricians are reporting that since 2001 the number of children admitted to emergency rooms for sports-related head injuries has skyrocketed by more then 90%.
  • Among people who are 15 to 24 years old, sports are second only to motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of traumatic brain injury.
  • Traumatic brain injury is a contributing factor to over 30% of all injury-related deaths in the United States.
Sources: Mayo Clinic, CDC, Statistics Canada, CBS News