Archbold focuses on sports related concussions | News

THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - Every year, doctors diagnose more than a million concussion cases in the United States.

15 to 19 year olds are among those most likely to suffer such a brain injury.

And with the recent suicide of former NFL player Junior Seau, parents of young athletes are worried.

43 year old Junior Seau died last week from a self inflicted gun shot wound to the chest.

And many folks believe all those years of being hit in the head could be to blame. "Even prior to that there's been lots of young athletes who have suffered not just one concussion, but multiple concussions. And we're just now beginning to realize the long lasting effects that concussions have on the brain," said Dr. Clark Connell.

Archbold Memorial Hospital is having a Health Talk Tuesday night.

They want to send a message to young athletes, their parents, and their coaches. "What we're really hoping is that we raise general awareness in the public about the dangers of concussion, how to identify a concussion, and how to treat a concussion," said Connell.

Doctors say female athletes are actually more susceptible to concussions than their male counterparts.

With all of the recent news on sports related concussions, many parents are now thinking twice about allowing their kids to play football. "It's something that they would be very cautious of and I don't blame them. I got a son playing and he didn't play the end of the year due to concussions this past year," said Thomasville High School Football Coach Richie Marsh.

Marsh says this new cautious approach will only make the game better. "The people that make the equipment, they're doing all types of studies and trying to come up with the most up to date information they can to make their equipment better and so I think everyone is taking steps in the right direction."

Marsh says the Thomasville City School System recently hired a new athletic trainer who will be on the sidelines for every practice and game.

He says the trainer will know when a player has a concussion and how to treat the symptoms.

Tuesday's Health Talk begins at 6pm in the Williams Auditorium at Archbold Memorial Hospital.

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