UVA Health’s Sports Concussion Service Team breaks down concussions as fall sports heat up

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The energy of fall sports is electrifying, but with the thrill of competition comes the responsibility of prioritizing athlete safety. Concussions, a common yet complex injury in youth sports, demand attention and understanding from players, parents and coaches alike.

“A concussion happens when a bump or a blow to the head, or even a whiplash injury, causes the brain to sort of move around in the skull, and it disrupts the brain's function," said University of Virginia (UVA) Clinical Neuropsychologist, Dr. Rachael Smentana.

The injury itself is metabolic, meaning it impacts the brain’s chemistry. Symptoms often include dizziness, headache and blurred vision, but unlike other injuries, it's not visible on a scan.

(Photo: Nolan Knight, 8News)

(Photo: Nolan Knight, 8News)

(Photo: Nolan Knight, 8News)

"A concussion is not detectable by a cat scan or MRI," said Dr. José Posas, a sports neurologist at UVA Health. "So, you know, the thought of, 'Oh my gosh, well, the cat scan was normal, so I don't have a concussion,' that doesn't necessarily apply."

One of the most important ways athletes can reduce their risk is simply by staying up-to-date on the rules.

"Especially as we get into high school competition, we might see people not paying close attention to the rules or, you know, maybe do an illegal hit or something somewhere," Dr. Smetana said.

Beyond the rulebook, awareness is key. Since not all concussions look alike, coaches and trainers must have open conversations with their players about what a concussion is and, more importantly, what it feels like to have one.

While every concussion is different, there are signs that require immediate action.

"If the athlete was injured in the first half of the game and they're puking in a bucket and sweating, and complaining of a headache, and nauseous and slurring words, and confused by the second half of the game, that needs more urgent evaluation," Dr. Posas said.

If it's determined that a player is concussed, it is against the law in all 50 states for them to return to the game that day.

Once a player is in the clinic, a deeper "detective work" begins, often starting with a baseline test. The diagnostic process is a combination of both observation and specialized testing.

"I'm talking to the patient. I'm looking at them. Are they guarding their eyes from the bright lights in the room?" Dr. Posas said.

Dr. Smentana added that this detective work is done to understand the mechanism of injury and the symptoms that ultimately guide the diagnosis of a concussion.

While every concussion should be taken seriously, some parents and athletes often worry about the long-term effects of multiple injuries.

"Just because you've had three concussions doesn't mean you will be demented by age 40. But that means we need to be very intentional about how we get you back into sports and what kind of sport you play," Dr. Posas said.