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	With the players of today being bigger and faster than at any point in our history, concussions have become a fact of life and a hazard to any and all hockey players. One doesn't have to dig too deep to find examples of the severity of concussions and the effect they can have on a player. Brett Lindros, Paul Kariya, Geoff Courtnall and unfortunately the list goes on. Concussions will always be a part of our game; to what degree is strangely left up to us. There is no better way to combat any injury than to be armed with knowledge. Providing you with knowledge on the topic of concussions is the focus of this article.       A concussion combined with its possible complications can be potentially life threatening. There is no way to sugar cote or to hide from this simple fact. The important thing is that we can take steps to decrease our chances of ever having to experience the effects of a concussion. What is a concussion? How can you combat them? These are valid questions, and here are the answers.       A concussion by definition is "a post-traumatic impairment of neural status". What we deem in the athletic world as "seeing stars" or "having our bell rung" often times can and should be categorized as a concussion. Traditionally a loss of consciousness or memory would have been the clear-cut indication of a concussion. Now, however, the athletic world is recognizing many forms of head trauma that have traditionally gone unnoticed. Some of the symptoms that players and team personnel should be aware of are the following: Headache Memory Loss Dizziness Nausea Disorientation Loss of Consciousness Loss of Balance Lack of Concentration Here are some important facts that athletes and team personal should be aware of with regards to concussions: Any time a player is involved in a contact sport, there is a chance of sustaining a concussion. Players who have sustained a concussion may be at greater risk for sustaining more. Second Impact Syndrome occurs when an individual sustains a second injury to the head while still experiencing the effects of a previous concussion. This syndrome is often fatal. Any player who has been knocked unconscious should not be allowed back into that game. Now that we know a little more about concussions, here are some things we can do to diminish our chances of experiencing one: Make sure you have a quality helmet and that it fits properly. Where a mouth guard to help absorb the shock. Not only will this protect your teeth, but also it can help in preventing concussions. Hockey is first and foremost a contact sport, but respect for the mutual safety of your fellow players should always be in the front of your mind. If you have any more questions regarding concussions, be sure to Ask the Vet.
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