Concussion awareness
By: Jacob Thomas
News Editor
SMACK!
Austin Pawlak laid on the turf face down. Helped to the sideline, he suffered a concussion with symptoms of a headache and a nauseous stomach.
“It happened during the Marine City game during the second quarter. I hit helmet to helmet with another player on Marine City when I went for a tackle,” said Pawlak.
However, a headache and nauseous stomach were not the only results of the concussion.
“I was really nauseous and I did have a [head ache], but my neck was hurting really bad,” said Pawlak.
Pawlak was medically cleared to resume athletic activities a week later, but the headache and neck pain continued for another two weeks.
“I was worried it may have been serious when I was getting an MRI,” said Pawlak.
Another RHS student-athlete has also recently battled concussion symptoms.
Sophomore Ally Swantek suffered a concussion during a basketball practice three weeks ago.
“My sister Emily hit me in the head and I blacked out. I was hit very close to my temple which is the worst possible spot,” said Swantek.
Swantek is still suffering from concussion symptoms, but hopes to be back to practice by December 28.
“I’m going to the neurologist to get answers to why I am still having aching pains and hopefully they give me good news,” said Swantek.
Swantek has been experiencing various symptoms that continue to bother her such as dizziness, severe headaches, increased heart rate, neck pains, nausea, and the inability to remember certain events. She has missed several days of school.
“The most frustrating part of having a concussion is not being able to go to basketball and school. I am falling behind in classes and miss my friends. No matter how much medicine I use, I can’t get rid of the symptoms. I am limited to everything I can do such as talking on the phone and texting and watching television. I pretty much do nothing all day,” said Swantek.
Dr. Muylaert, RHS Athletic Director, voiced his opinion on concussions as well.
“You feel foggy. Many times an athlete will have a headache or vomiting. They will have symptoms of dizziness, loss of balance and blurry vision. You have to look at all of those symptoms to determine if an athlete has a concussion,” said Dr. Muylaert.
There is not a specific time set by schools and the MHSAA that an athlete must be held out, but they must be medically cleared by a doctor to continue athletic activities.
“An athlete must sit out until they receive medical clearance by a doctor. This is a state law. Schools don’t have a choice, but it is for everyone’s safety,” said Dr. Muylaert.
The growing concern of concussions at the high school level has forced coaches and trainers to specialize in concussion symptoms and safety procedures.
“Fortunately in my three years here, we have had little experiences with concussions. Football is a sport heavily focused on for concussion prevention so I have purchased five dozen new helmets over the past three years. I plan to purchase two more dozen football helmets this year and three more dozen next year,” said Dr. Muylaert.
One of the new additions to preventing concussions is a concussion form that all schools, coaches and athletes must abide by.
“Concussion forms are mandatory by state law for any organization with physical contact. Coaches who work with athletes at any level must take a course on concussion awareness. High school coaches, Little League coaches and any other organization must have taken the course by state law. The course is only about twenty minutes long but it serves a purpose,” said Dr. Muylaert.
Even at the lower level of sports, taking the right steps to prevent concussions is something most would agree is necessary.
“There are studies that concussions have long-term effects. Former professional athletes are coming out and complaining about the effects they have experienced,” said Dr. Muylaert.
Thankfully RHS has not had many concussion related injuries, but it is nice to see that the athletics staff continues to take responsibility to care for their athletes.
News Editor
SMACK!
Austin Pawlak laid on the turf face down. Helped to the sideline, he suffered a concussion with symptoms of a headache and a nauseous stomach.
“It happened during the Marine City game during the second quarter. I hit helmet to helmet with another player on Marine City when I went for a tackle,” said Pawlak.
However, a headache and nauseous stomach were not the only results of the concussion.
“I was really nauseous and I did have a [head ache], but my neck was hurting really bad,” said Pawlak.
Pawlak was medically cleared to resume athletic activities a week later, but the headache and neck pain continued for another two weeks.
“I was worried it may have been serious when I was getting an MRI,” said Pawlak.
Another RHS student-athlete has also recently battled concussion symptoms.
Sophomore Ally Swantek suffered a concussion during a basketball practice three weeks ago.
“My sister Emily hit me in the head and I blacked out. I was hit very close to my temple which is the worst possible spot,” said Swantek.
Swantek is still suffering from concussion symptoms, but hopes to be back to practice by December 28.
“I’m going to the neurologist to get answers to why I am still having aching pains and hopefully they give me good news,” said Swantek.
Swantek has been experiencing various symptoms that continue to bother her such as dizziness, severe headaches, increased heart rate, neck pains, nausea, and the inability to remember certain events. She has missed several days of school.
“The most frustrating part of having a concussion is not being able to go to basketball and school. I am falling behind in classes and miss my friends. No matter how much medicine I use, I can’t get rid of the symptoms. I am limited to everything I can do such as talking on the phone and texting and watching television. I pretty much do nothing all day,” said Swantek.
Dr. Muylaert, RHS Athletic Director, voiced his opinion on concussions as well.
“You feel foggy. Many times an athlete will have a headache or vomiting. They will have symptoms of dizziness, loss of balance and blurry vision. You have to look at all of those symptoms to determine if an athlete has a concussion,” said Dr. Muylaert.
There is not a specific time set by schools and the MHSAA that an athlete must be held out, but they must be medically cleared by a doctor to continue athletic activities.
“An athlete must sit out until they receive medical clearance by a doctor. This is a state law. Schools don’t have a choice, but it is for everyone’s safety,” said Dr. Muylaert.
The growing concern of concussions at the high school level has forced coaches and trainers to specialize in concussion symptoms and safety procedures.
“Fortunately in my three years here, we have had little experiences with concussions. Football is a sport heavily focused on for concussion prevention so I have purchased five dozen new helmets over the past three years. I plan to purchase two more dozen football helmets this year and three more dozen next year,” said Dr. Muylaert.
One of the new additions to preventing concussions is a concussion form that all schools, coaches and athletes must abide by.
“Concussion forms are mandatory by state law for any organization with physical contact. Coaches who work with athletes at any level must take a course on concussion awareness. High school coaches, Little League coaches and any other organization must have taken the course by state law. The course is only about twenty minutes long but it serves a purpose,” said Dr. Muylaert.
Even at the lower level of sports, taking the right steps to prevent concussions is something most would agree is necessary.
“There are studies that concussions have long-term effects. Former professional athletes are coming out and complaining about the effects they have experienced,” said Dr. Muylaert.
Thankfully RHS has not had many concussion related injuries, but it is nice to see that the athletics staff continues to take responsibility to care for their athletes.