Because you only get one  brain…         

What exactly IS a concussion?
        Simply put, a concussion is a “brain bruise”.  It is an injury to the brain that results from a blow to the head, or even a jarring hit to the body which causes the head to accelerate or decelerate rapidly.  Any such hit that results in any one or more neurological symptoms should be considered a concussion.  It is important to note that a concussion is a metabolic injury affecting the brain chemistry (and therefore brain function) NOT a structural injury which affects the physical structure of the brain or skull.
What are the “neurological symptoms” of a concussion?
        Symptoms include, but are not limited to: headache, loss of consciousness, memory loss, dizziness, blurred vision, tunnel vision, undue fatigue, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, emotional/personality changes, feeling “foggy”, generally feeling “out of it”, discomfort to look into the light, etc…
Is it safe to play if you have a concussion?
        NO!  If you feel ANY of these symptoms as the result of a hit, you must tell your coach, and remove yourself from the game or practice!
How do you know when it is safe to return to play?
        You should NEVER return to play the same day that a concussion has occurred.  You will need to be seen and cleared by a physician before returning to play.  One tool that your doctor will ask for is computerized neurocognative testing.  This is a test that you take in the beginning of the season (baseline) to test how your brain functions normally.  If a concussion occurs, you take a follow-up of the same test, to see how your brain is recovering.  Your doctor will compare your baseline to your follow-up, and compare those findings with a neurological evaluation to determine when it is safe to return.
How can I take a baseline neurocognative test?
        Click here to go to bodyactivefitness.com for more information about concussion testing.