June 8, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 11 Ridgewood A concussion is a brain injury. Concussions are most commonly caused by a bump or blow to the head, but can also be caused by a sudden deceleration or acceleration of the head. In either scenario, the brain, suspended inside the skull and surrounded by fluid, continues to travel with momentum until it “bangs” up against the skull causing a brain-bruising injury, or concussion. What may seem to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. To assist parents and coaches in evaluating young athletes with a suspected concussion, The Valley Hospital Sports Institute is now offering the ImPACT Concussion Management Test. ImPACT (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is an innovative, computerized evaluation system that assesses the effects and severity of a concussion and helps determine when it is safe for an athlete to return to contact sports following a concussion. You can’t see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of a concussion can show up right after the injury, or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away. Common symptoms include: headache, dizziness, feeling foggy, nausea, fatigue, and confusion. Common signs include memory loss, a loss of balance and coordination, and changes in personality. Concussion severity varies widely, and the number of signs and symptoms vary also. Serious injuries may show few symptoms. Although less common, bleeding in the brain can occur with some head injuries. Loss of consciousness, mental status deterioration, and worsening symptoms raise the concern for a bleeding injury. An athlete does not need to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion. In fact, less than 10 Parents, coaches urged to learn about concussion risks percent of concussed athletes lose consciousness. An athlete who suffers a concussion can be at risk for a condition known as Second Impact Syndrome if he or she returns to sports before full recovery. Second impact syndrome is a life-threatening condition in which a second concussion occurs before a first concussion has properly healed, causing rapid and severe brain swelling. Second impact syndrome can result from even a very mild concussion that occurs days or weeks after the initial concussion. Second Impact Syndrome can be prevented. Do not allow an athlete to return to sports after a concussion until his or her symptoms have completely resolved and he or she has been cleared by a medical professional experienced in treating concussions. ImPACT testing is suitable for athletes ages 12 and older. It is a 20-30 minute neurocognitive test battery that has been scientifically validated to measure the effects of sports-related concussion. Typically, in the preseason each athlete is given a baseline test. If a concussion is suspected during the season, a follow-up test is administered to see if the results have changed from the baseline. This comparison helps to diagnose and manage the concussion. Follow-up tests can be administered over days or weeks so clinicians can continue to track the athlete’s recovery from the injury. The Valley Hospital Sports Institute will offer ImPACT baseline testing to prepare for the fall athletic season on two upcoming dates: Wednesday, June 22, and Tuesday, August 16. Appointments may be scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Testing will be conducted in the computer classroom located on the 3rd floor of the Kraft Center, 15 Essex Road, Paramus. The cost is $25 per athlete. Only checks will be accepted on the date of the test. Checks should be made payable to: The Valley Hospital. Since most high schools in the area have the testing in place already, the Sports Institute is providing this service primarily for the recreation and town-sponsored youth sports teams. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. To register, contact the Sports Institute at (201) 447-8133.