This is what a concussion feels like.............

 

CONCUSSION: A complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces.

 

· Direct blow or impulsive forces transmitted to the head

· Typically results in rapid onset of neurological impairments

· Functional injury: Not a structural injury

· May or may not include loss of consciousness (LOC)

· Not identifiable on standard imaging (CT, MRI)

MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (mTBI):

· All concussions are a form of mTBI

· Not all mTBI's are concussions

· The terms concussion and mTBI should not be used interchangeably

POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME:

· A set of symptoms which may last days, months, or years following a concussion

SECOND IMPACT SYNDROME:

· Rare condition when an athlete sustains a second head injury before the symptoms of the first injury have resolved. Second Impact Syndrome can be and is often fatal.

Breakfast of Champions

Ever wonder why the Olympic gold medalists and the Championship teams make it on the Wheaties box? Because its true- BREAKFAST IS THE MEAL FOR CHAMPIONS! As kids you all know that eating during the day with classes is challenging. A 500-700 calorie breakfast with a couple snacks such as a granola bar, fruit, yogurt and a light lunch will give you the optimal energy you need for your practice or game. The idea is to again balance carbohydrates and protein- both vital components to your athletic performance.

 

Breakfast ideas

* A wholesome cereal such as Wheaties, Kashi, FiberOne, Cheerios, with lowfat milk, banana or another fruit along with orange juice.

* Eggs with english muffin or wheat toast with peanut butter

* Pancakes mixed with fresh fruit and a yogurt

* Smoothie with low fat milk, yogurt, fresh fruit, fresh veggies, a tablespoon of peanut butter and flax seed oil or fish oil

 Sample grab-and-go sports breakfasts
* Bran muffin and a yogurt

 

* Two slices of last night's left-over pizza

* Peanut butter-banana-honey sandwich

* Pita with 1 to 2 slices of lowfat cheese plus a large apple

* Baggie of lowfat granola with a handful of raisins

* Bagel plus a can of vegetable juice

* Granola Bar, piece of fruit, and an orange /cranberry/apple juice

* WATER, WATER, WATER!!!!!

 

Stay away from

*Sugar cereals- they usually are not nutritionally good and are more like candy

* Granola bars that are more sugar such as smores or candy filled

Remember- what you put in is what you get out! Fuel your body wisely!

Welcome to NCCS Cougar Corner

 

WELCOME TO

COUGAR CORNER

As NCCS's first athletic trainer, I would like to say "Welcome" to our new athletics/sports-medicine blog. I would like to take as many opportunities as I can to educate our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, parents, and teachers and we hope you find this blog a helpful tool in doing so.

I would like to open this blog with a brief educational piece about what an athletic trainer is. It is a professional name that often is confused with "trainers". You name it, people have thought I "trained" it- from horses to personal training to teaching athletes how to "train" for their sport.

As defined by the National Athletic Training Association, an athletic trainer is:

"Athletic training is practiced by athletic trainers, health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities."

Where will you find an athletic trainer?

  Schools (K-12, colleges, universities)

  Amateur, professional and Olympic sports venues

  Clinics

  Hospitals

  Physician offices

  Community facilities

  Workplaces (commercial and government)

As we embark on a quest to begin to build a comprehensive sports medicine program here at NCCS, I hope you find that the educational piece is an important one. I hope to give each student-athlete, coach, administrator, teacher and parent a bit of advice that sticks with them throughout their athletic career and/or into healthy adult lives where "recreational sports" become a vital piece to a healthy life.

I will often use the term "sports medicine" as it is a blanket term that encompasses a whole team of people who there for the physical and mental health and safety of the athletes- doctors, dentists, athletic trainers, nurses, counselors, psychologists, athletic directors, coaches, physical therapists....... the list go on and on! Each play a vital component to the success each individual and team has.

Please feel free to send me any questions, comments or suggestions you have. It is much appreciated.

Thanks and Enjoy!

Melissa Ryan-Knowlton

(or as the kids know me as Mrs. Knowlton)mknowlton@countryschool.net