A blow to the brain

On Wednesday, April 20 at 19:30 GMT:

“Punch drunk”, “seeing stars”, or a little “out of it”. Those are just some of the ways athletes have described getting hit on the head while playing their sport. It might not be the most painful knock, but it could be causing the most long term damage. So what happens during a concussion to the most vulnerable part of your body?

The brain is gelatinous tissue that is encased in bone, wrapped in membrane and floating in fluid. Upon impact the brain stretches, moving around the skull. This temporarily affects the way it functions – nerves get stretched and messages to and from the rest of the body are affected. It can lead to brain swelling in a space with little or no room to expand. Studies show that over time, multiple traumatic brain injuries can lead to memory loss, depression, dementia and other mental disorders. Extreme cases can lead to a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. CTE is described as a progressive degenerative disease resulting in impaired judgment, aggressive behavior and a range of other cognitive problems.

Recently the National Football League in the US settled a multi-million dollar lawsuit with former players who sued the league for endangering their health. FIFA, the Rugby union and several other sporting leagues around the world have also been reevaluating their head injury protocols and investing in scientific studies.

On Wednesday we’ll speak to athletes about their experiences on and off the field, how concussions have affected their lives and the game they love. Join in with your questions and comments at 1930GMT.

Joining this conversation:

Katherine Price Snedaker @PinkConcussions
Social worker & Executive Director, PinkConcussions
pinkconcussions.com

Gerard Gioia @childrenshealth
Division Chief, Neuropsychology – Children’s National Medical Center
childrensnational.org

Shaun Valentine
Former Professional Rugby Player

Amanda Batty @theamandabatty
Professional Downhill Mountain Biker
amandabatty.com

Is enough done to prevent head injuries in sport? What more is needed? Share your thoughts below.