Head Injuries in Sports

When people think of head injuries or concussions in sports, they mainly think of sports like Football, but head injuries can happen in just about every sport. Studies have shown that female soccer and basketball players in high school and men’s wrestling and ice hockey, as well as women’s ice hockey at the college level, have higher rates of head injuries than football players. Many state and national sports organizations have tried to bring more awareness to the issue and have changed the rules, but it is important to stay vigilant no matter what sport your child plays.

Most minor hits to the head can resolve on their own but it is important to know what to look for, especially in young children. A study done in 2016 found that about one third of patients ages 5-18 who had concussions experienced lasting psychological and behavior problems. This is something called persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). It is important that parents, coaches, and athletes know the risks and how to take precautions when an injury happens, or it can have lasting effects.

 Any action that causes your head to move quickly in any direction can cause a concussion. A blackout or loss of consciousness only occurs in about 10 percent of concussions, so it is not always possible to assess based on this. Concussions and injuries can happen quickly so be on the lookout for:

  • Sudden stops, such as a collision with another player or tripping that has them landing on the ground suddenly.

  • Head-to-head collision

  • Head-to-elbow, stick, ball, etc.

  • Hits that may cause whiplash.

It’s important to watch how the player’s head moves during that contact. Concussions have a wide range of symptoms, so it’s important to look out for severe symptoms like:

  • Nausea or Vomiting

  • Dilated pupils

  • Disorientation

  • Trouble balancing

  • Ringing in the ears

Sometimes concussion symptoms are milder like:

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Sensitivity to light or noise

  • Numbness

  • Fatigue

  • Feeling anxious, depressed, or groggy

  • Overall feeling that something isn’t right.

Most of the time, only a medical professional or someone trained in concussion protocol can determine whether a player has sustained a concussion or other minor brain injury. Depending on the symptoms and severity of the hit, it is important to seek assessment and care. Some schools and clubs have athletic trainers as part of the staff, and players can be assessed on the spot. Others require coaches and officials to be trained to spot symptoms in players. They may recommend a trip to the ER for further assessment if the injury is severe enough.

Most people recover quickly from concussions, but sometimes the symptoms can last days, weeks, or months. It is important to seek treatment from medical professionals as these injuries can impact a person's life if not treated properly. The best approach is, when in doubt, to check it out. Talk to your child’s coach to see if they have concussion protocols for their team or if they have been trained in concussion protocol.

For more information on head injuries in sports and concussions, please visit:

 

Megan Winkelmann has been a Community Health Educator with the Jefferson County Health Department for five years. She attended Truman State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a minor in Biology. While working for JCHD she attended A.T. Still University to earn her master’s degree in Public Health. Megan was born and raised in Jefferson County and enjoys creating programs that encourage healthy habits in the place she was raised. Megan likes to spend her free in time in the presence of family and friends.

Make Heart Health Part of Your Self-Care Routine

Devoting a little time every day to care for yourself can go a long way toward protecting the health of your heart. Simple self-care, such as taking a moment to de-stress, giving yourself time to move more, preparing healthier meals, and not cheating on sleep can all benefit your heart.

And that’s a good thing, because heart disease is largely preventable and focusing on improving your heart health has never been more important. Heart disease is a leading cause of death for women and men in the United States, and many Americans remain at risk of getting it, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

“Studies show self-care routines, such as taking a daily walk and keeping doctor’s appointments, help us keep our blood pressure in the healthy range and reduce our risk of heart disease and stroke,” said David Goff, M.D., NHLBI’s director of cardiovascular sciences.

It may be easier than you think to “put your heart” into your daily routine. Each Sunday, look at your week’s schedule and carve out 30 minutes daily for heart-healthy practices. Take an online yoga class, prepare a heart-healthy recipe, schedule your bedtime to get at least seven hours of sleep, or make a medication checklist. Then seek out support from others, even if it’s online or via a phone call, to help you stick to your goals.

Here are few self-care tips to try every day to make your heart a priority:

  1. Self-Care Sunday: Find a moment of serenity every Sunday. Spend some quality time on yourself.

  2. Mindful Monday: Be mindful about your health and regularly monitor your blood pressure or blood sugar if needed. Keep an eye on your weight to make sure it stays within or moves toward a healthy range. Being aware of your health status is a key to making positive change.

  3. Tasty Tuesday: Choose how you want to approach eating healthier. Start small by pepping up your meals with a fresh herb or spice as a salt substitute. Get adventurous and prepare a simple, new, heart-healthy recipe. Or go big by trying a different way of eating, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which is scientifically proven to lower blood pressure. DASH is flexible and balanced, and it includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, lean meats, beans, nuts, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

  4. Wellness Wednesday: Don’t waffle on your wellness. Move more, eat a fruit or vegetable you’ve never tried, make a plan to quit smoking or vaping, or learn the signs of a heart attack or stroke. You could be having a heart attack if you have chest and upper body pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, or lightheadedness. You might be having a stroke if you have numbness in the face, arm, or leg; confusion; trouble talking or seeing; dizziness; or a severe headache.

  5. Treat Yourself Thursday: Treats can be healthy. Try making a dessert with fresh fruit and yogurt. Then stretch your imagination beyond food. Host a family dance party, take a few minutes to sit still and meditate, go for a long walk, or watch a funny show. Laughter is healthy. Whatever you do, find a way to spend some quality time on yourself.

  6. Follow Friday: Follow inspiring people and pages on social media, or text a friend to help you stick to your self-care goals. Remember to take care of your mental health, too. Two of the main hurdles to self-care are depression and a lack of confidence, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. If your mental health gets between you and your fabulous self, take action to show your heart some love. Reach out to family and friends for support, or talk to a qualified mental health provider.

  7. Selfie Saturday: Inspire others to take care of their own hearts. Talk about your self-care routine with loved ones or share a selfie on your social media platforms. Having social support and personal networks can make it easier to get regular physical activity, eat nutritious foods, reach a healthy weight, and quit smoking.

Learn more in this Self-Care Tips for Heart Health fact sheet and visit www.hearttruth.gov to learn more about heart health.

Maple Syrup Production Dangers

When thinking about the concerns of lead poisoning many people may think of paint chips or old pipes. However, many old machinery or tools can also contain lead as it was once widely used in many items.

Around this time each year many Missourians are tapping their maple trees to collect syrup. Sap from these trees and the trees themselves do not contain lead but there is a chance of contamination based on the equipment used and environmental factors. Sometimes these pieces of equipment such as evaporators, tanks, buckets, and spiles are items that have been passed down through generations and may contain lead in some form.  In some cases, places where the items have been soldered, the type of metal used to make the item and other factors can contribute to this.  Lead can also be introduced through elements such as wind kicking up roadside dirt or dust that contains lead. Syrup is slightly acidic so if it sits in a tank or bucket that contains lead it can draw the lead out of the product and into the syrup itself. It is recommended to use plastic equipment when possible.

Lead levels in syrup can not be determined by looking at it. In some cases, the lead may be taken out of the syrup during the filtering process. The sugar sand that builds up in the bottom of the batch often contains the most lead particles and the syrup should be tested after the final filtering. The only way to find out if lead is present in the syrup is by having the syrup tested to see if it meets Missouri requirements. If there is any concern for this, such as using older items or if the trees are in an area known for high lead exposure, the syrup should be sent for testing before consuming or selling.

 

For more specific information on what items may be affected please visit https://mapleresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/leadout.pdf

 

For more information on collecting maple syrup safely or selling it in Missouri please visit:

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/maple-sugaring

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/Pub/pdf/commdm/dm3036.pdf

Jefferson County Rotary Clubs Donate Golf Tournament Proceeds to JCHD Mobile Program Serving Residents Struggling with Access to Healthcare

Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) recently received a monetary donation of $7,150 from the Jefferson County Rotary Clubs, Inc. Benefit Golf Tournament. Jefferson County Rotary Clubs, Inc. held a benefit golf tournament on October 13th at Crystal Highlands Golf Course in Festus, MO. The event attracted 120 golfers and 39 sponsors, raising a total of $14,300. This was the 5th annual benefit golf tournament hosted by the Jefferson County Rotary Clubs and the fifth year they chose JCHD’s Mobile Wellness Program as one of the recipients of the proceeds from the tournament.

Donated funds go directly into the JCHD Mobile Wellness program, which provides healthcare services for Jefferson County residents who need it most. “We are grateful for the continued generosity of the Jefferson County Rotary Clubs,” states Jefferson County Health Department Executive Director Kelley Vollmar. “It’s rewarding to see such great community participation in support of a program that, in turn, provides vital health services to their friends and neighbors who may be struggling with access to care.”

“As in past years, we want to thank all the players, sponsors, and volunteers for participating in the 5 th Jefferson County Rotary Clubs Benefit Golf Tournament,” states Hillsboro Rotary Club President Doug Wright. “This year’s tournament was our most successful so far. It’s wonderful to see contributions will continue to have a powerful impact within our Jefferson County community.”