New Concussion Guidelines

March 18, 2013

The American Academy of Neurology is releasing a new set of guidelines to evaluate athletes with concussions.

Local high schools are taking precautions when it comes to teenage athletes.

More than one million athletes are diagnosed with concussions each year in the United States, and this is prompting a need for updated guidelines.

The sports with the greatest risk for concussion include football, hockey, soccer and rugby.

It is now recommended that the athletes be removed at the slightest suspicion of a concussion.

The American Academy of Neurology recommends that the athlete be removed from practice and games and not allowed to return until they're assessed by a health care professional who specializes in concussions.

Locally, both McDowell and Cathedral Prep are taking precautions to make sure their athletes are safe before getting back on the field.

The head football coach at Cathedral Prep, Mike Mischler, tells us they've seen a significant decrease in the number of concussions because of recent precautions.

They quit having contact on defensive practice days and only hit in practices twice a week.

McDowellHigh School senior Sean Gallagher has had four concussions. The McDowell staff did their part to make sure he completely healed before getting back on the field. He now looks forward to playing football for EdinboroUniversity in the Fall. The McDowell athletic staff stresses the importance of players taking care of themselves before getting back on the field.

Cathedral Prep does the same, showing videos about concussions to faculty and student athletes.

Cleveland Clinic Dr. Rick Figler says that if the brain is allowed to heal appropriately, there's a better chance of it recovering faster and possibly better.

Dr. Figler encourages coaches and parents to work together to understand the new set of guidelines.

The complete set of guidelines can be found in the Journal of the AmericanAcademy of Neurology.