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PROVO — The number of diagnosed concussions among people under the age of 20 climbed 71 percent during the last five years, according to a study published by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The study does recognize that the increase may reflect a growing awareness leading to more diagnoses.
The Utah Valley Concussion Clinic in Provo is trying to minimize the effects from those brain injuries.
Alex McDougal, 17, is one of their patients, but the Orem High School senior would rather be on the football field. His plans changed after one hit Friday, Sept. 16, in a game against Alta.
"I was coming across the middle to catch a ball. As soon as I caught it, I just got hit very hard ... I was just laying there, tapping my helmet. That usually signifies that I'm hurt," he said.
For his mom, Ilene Strong, it was not anything she was expecting. "It was scary to watch him just laying there," she said.
Athletic trainers quickly assessed Alex McDougal. They got him off the field and gave him a concussion test. He failed.
Monday morning he found himself at the Utah Valley Concussion Clinic. They have a unique approach to treating head trauma by combining neuropsychology and sports medicine. The three things they focus on are headache, neck pain and sleep.
Brent Rich, M.D., a sports medicine physician said, "If they are not sleeping at night, or they are getting interrupted sleep then we've got to fix that. Sleep helps the brain recover."
Doctors also suggest giving the brain some rest by cutting out some of the things that keep the brain wired. "Sometimes that means TV, sometimes that means school work or homework or any video games they are doing that are just kind of keeping their brain active," Rich said.
Easing back into activity and early detection are the keys to getting back in the game. Players have to be honest with their parents, trainers and coaches when they first notice symptoms.
Dr. James Snyder, a neuropsychology physician, said, "This is a treatable injury you can recover from this. It doesn't necessarily take a long time, but if you don't then you run the risk of something that could lay waste for the rest of your life plans for sure."
McDougal had to sit out one game. He's now back playing the game that he loves and hopes to play well after high school.
