Concussion Awareness

I enjoy sharing the information in my newsletter and writing about the services that we provide as sports chiropractors. 

Twenty years ago, I started to write about the dangers of concussions, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and the possible fatalities caused by “Second Hit Syndrome”.  A second hit after even a mild concussion can cause permanent disabilities and even death. 
 

Recently they have improved the protocol for hypothermia caused by strenuous activities in hot weather. Between 2004 and 2018 there were 702 heat related deaths in the US. These were not all caused by sports, some occurred with children, older adults, laborers and the military. 
 

In the past the initial emergency procedure would be to wait for the first responders, and they would rehydrate through an intravenous line and then transport to the hospital. This protocol could be fatal because the lost time would not correct the high body temperature that needs to be corrected as soon as possible. After 911 is called cooling down the body needs to begin immediately including:

            1-Wet the skin

            2-Cover the body in ice

            3-Remove clothing

            4-Drink cool liquids

            5-Get in cool water

These procedures could save a life! 
 

Dr. Leslie Dreifus 

Diplomate American Chiropractic Board of Sports Practitioners