Playing sports should be fun -- and good for you. Keep in mind, however, that safety must always be a top priority. An acute subdural hematoma happens when a head injury causes bleeding between the brain and the tissue that separates it from the skull, leading to a clot and neurological symptoms. Whether riding a bike, ice-skating or playing football, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect your head. Eric Stiner, MD, Chief Resident of Neurosurgery at UCLA Medical Center, offers some tips on avoiding everything from mild head injuries to traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Instructions
1. Wear a helmet. Dr. Stiner says this is the most important step you can take to protect your noggin when playing sports of any type. “I notice in some sports, helmets are the norm, but in others, they are not – even when they should be,” he said. “For example, ice-hockey players always wear helmets, yet few figure skaters do, despite the fact that figure skaters often skate just as fast, jump and spin, and take other risks. Their heads hit the ice just as hard as ice-hockey players do, and they should be wearing helmets." Anytime there is an opportunity for contact (e.g. football), fast movement (e.g. biking) or unsure footing (e.g. any type of skating), you should wear a helmet. "Even people going for a recreational skate should wear helmets,” he says.
2. Wear a properly fitted and secured helmet. Many people wear helmets, but leave the strap loose or unsecured altogether. “There is no point in wearing a helmet at all if it is going to come off as the person wearing it falls to the ground,” Dr. Stiner says. Make sure your helmet fits properly and is secure. Have professionals at sporting goods stores help with this and you can also review tips online about properly fitting helmets.
3. Protect your family. Make sure your precious children know from the time they can climb on a tricycle that helmets are mandatory when riding anything with wheels -- even in your own backyard. Also, set a strong example by always wearing a helmet when appropriate. Stiner says that when kids see their parents not following the helmet rule, they are less likely to take the rule as seriously when mom and dad are not around.
4. Avoid direct impact to the head. While this might seem like a “no brainer,” remember that you only have one brain and brain transplants don’t yet exist. Don't risk a head injury trying to score that touchdown or goal.
5. Learn to tuck, roll, duck, and take impact with other parts of your body. For example, hit with your shoulder – not your head – when playing football. Practice hitting and falling when you aren’t on the field or on the ice, so that hitting the floor or another person in a way that protects your head becomes instinctual.
Tags: Stiner says, wear helmets, your head, figure skaters, head injury, ice-hockey players