Knock on Wood at 15:45

With the NBA Playoffs finally here, injuries could be considered the worst nightmare for players and coaches (outside of losing of course).  Some injuries such as shoulder, ankle, or a broken bone can sit a player for the rest of the season; however, nothing is as threatening as a head injury.  A head injury (or maybe even several) can mean the end of the career and/or permanent damage to your brain or spinal cord.  The most common head injury is a concussion, in which 30,000 sports injuries occur each year. 

So what happens when you get a concussion? When your head hits the surface (typically a stationary surface), your brain encounters a large amount force and torque causing the cells in the brain to all react at once. Side effects include: Confusion, Memory Loss, Unconsciousness, Headache, Dizziness, Nausea/Vomiting and/or Vision changes. These vary depending on the severity of the hit and the person's body.  In most cases, athletes don't have any side effects except for a headache which is worrisome. 

Recovery from a concussion can take from a few days to several weeks.  There are symptoms that can appear weeks and even  up to a year after the initial blow that are not understood.  The reasons for these post shocks have been speculated to be physical or psychological. The symptoms include memory, sleep and concentration disturbances, fatigue, irritability and personality changes. 

If an athlete doesn't allow enough time to recover they can endure a second blow to the head.  This second occurrence is more dangerous than the first; typically resulting in death or permanent brain damage.  If you do take a blow to the head, be sure to visit a doctor, even if you only experience a headache. Although there is no medical cure for concussions except for pain relievers, a doctor can evaluate the damage via MRIs and assess a proper recovery time.