While it's often considered a part of the game of hockey, a body check or hit to the head is enough to cause a serious head injury. Despite the potential danger, it's easy to dismiss symptoms and return to play when you don't see visible signs of injury. However, getting back on the ice too soon carries additional health risks. Protect yourself or your child by learning how to identify, prevent and treat a serious head injury to avoid long-term complications.
Types
A head injury occurs after trauma to the skull, scalp or brain. These injuries often include a skull fracture, concussion or hematoma --- bleeding in the brain. Concussions, the most common type of head injuries among hockey players, develop when a player sustains a blow to the head from another player, a stick or puck to the head or during a collision with the ice or boards. Players often feel dazed or confused and may lose consciousness.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a head injury can take up to several days to develop. Depending on the cause of the injury, symptoms may include headache, lightheadedness, confusion, dizziness, nausea and irritability up to loss of consciousness, convulsions, inability to move a part of the body, blurred vision or speech and loss of balance in serious cases. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment for a head injury will depend on your symptoms. For minor injuries, over-the-counter pain medications and monitoring may be necessary for the first 24 hours. For serious injuries, treatment may include a physical examination, tests to assess brain function and damage or admittance to a hospital to boost oxygen and blood pressure levels, the Handbook notes.
Risks and Complications
While most hockey players fully recover from a minor head injury, symptoms can last for months. If you've had a concussion, returning to the ice before symptoms disappear increases your chances of another concussion. A study by Paul Sean Echlin and colleagues in a November 2010 issue of "Neurosurgical Focus" found 30 percent of junior players who experienced concussions during a regular hockey season had a recurrent or repeat concussions. Suffering multiple concussions can also boost your risk of dementia, Parkinson's disease and depression later in life. In cases of severe head injury, permanent disability and amnesia, behavioral problems, mood swings and anxiety are possible long-term complications.
Prevention and Advice
Prevent head injuries by wearing a helmet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises. Get plenty of rest, avoid physically demanding activities such as exercise or sports and prolonged computer use, the CDC recommends. Gradually return to your daily activities and playing hockey slowly. If symptoms persist, contact your doctor.
References
- "The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook"; Robert S. Porter et al.; 2009
- "The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences"; Concussion Incidence and Time Lost From Play in the NHL During the Past Ten Years; Richard A. Wennberg and Charles H. Tator; November 2008
- "Neurosurgical Focus"; Return to Play After an Initial or Recurrent Concussion in a Prospective Study of Physician-Observed Junior Ice Hockey Concussions: Implications For Return to Play After a Concussion; Paul Sean Echlin et al.; November 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prevention --- What Can I do to Help Prevent Concussion and Other Forms of Traumatic Brain Injury?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: What Can I Do to Help Feel Better After a Concussion?
- MedlinePlus: Head Injury
