Girls, it seems, are no longer immune to concussions. This may have something to do with their civil rights being expanded in the mid-Twentieth Century, but it might have more to do with their increased interest and participation in contact sports.
The rates of concussion are higher among female athletes than male athletes. Doctors believe that this is due to weaker neck muscles which absorb less shock or that girls are more likely to come forward and report their injuries than boys are.
Another problem is that coaches of female athletes aren't as likely to check for concussions. Football and hockey are the greatest concussion causers, but those two sports remain predominately and sexistly male. Females, traditionally speaking and in no way trying to create a bold and hasty generalization, tend to stick to sports like soccer, volleyball or girl's-rules basketball.
Soccer and volleyball aren't exactly concussion country.
A concussion is caused when the brain slams against the skull. Sometimes, amnesia--which is only funny on TV, because in real life it's desperately, desperately sad to the victim and the victim's family--occurs. Other times, the person might get knocked out like a character in a Raymond Chandler novel, but those things don't necessarily have to occur to obtain a concussion. It is also a good idea to let a concussion victim get a lot of rest. That old myth about not letting them sleep is hogwash, flapdoodle, flummery, gobbledegook and balderdash.
What's best for a concussion victim is not letting the victim take another blow to the head for a good, long while. Repeated head trauma can cause long-term brain damage.
An internist, family physician or general practitioner can manage a minor concussion. If you're a boxer whose taken a few dozen blows to the head, you may want to see a neurologist.
To have discussion about a concussion, click here.
