Know signs of concussions in youths, Alessi says

Knowing the signs of a concussion is an important part of ensuring that young athletes dont suffer further brain damage.

Looking for those signs and knowing the ways to deal with the traumatic brain injury are Dr. Anthony Alessis area of expertise.

Alessi, the medical director of the Backus Hospital Stroke Center and in private practice at NeuroDiagnostics in Norwich, appeared before parents, coaches and athletes Thursday for a presentation hosted by The William W. Backus Hospital.

Alessi covered the clinical and medical causes of concussions, a topic which has come to the forefront of sports medicine, he said.

There are only two ways you can die in sports, he said. One, cardiac something that affects the heart or neurological. Nobody died from a broken bone.

Studies have shown that young, developing brains are more vulnerable to traumatic injury from concussive blows, according to Alessi. These injuries can result in chronic headaches and learning disabilities if they are not managed properly.

Parent Melinda Bryan has a daughter who plays soccer and lacrosse. Bryan, of Voluntown, was glad she attended the presentation.

Its good to know what the symptoms are and what to look for, she said.

Connecticut now has laws to protect school athletes. If a child has a concussion, he or she must be removed from play and cant return without written certification from a doctor, he said.

Heres the problem with this law. Its only for scholastic coaches, which means ages 14 and up. Yet, its the youth athletes that have the most vulnerable brains.

Original post:
Know signs of concussions in youths, Alessi says