Patrick Mahomes has a concussion. Now what?
A blow to the head knocked Kansas City Chief's superstar Patrick Mahomes out of the game. His return to the playoffs is uncertain.
While we're all praying for him to have a quick recovery, let's take a look at concussions. They're more serious than you think.
First off, what is a concussion? According to experts, a concussion is a change in mental status caused by trauma. Some people think you need to be knocked out cold to have a concussion. That isn't true. If you had your bell rung, you had a concussion.
People often ask, what's the big deal with concussions? According to the CDC, concussions can harm players for the rest of their lives. Let's check out some of the long-term dangers:
Difficulty thinking
Trouble with balance and sight
Abnormal communication - players can have a hard time talking or understanding what other people say
Depression, aggression, and anxiety
People can have depression and anxiety for years after a concussion
Back to Mahomes. He's in the NFL's concussion protocol. The protocol is a collaboration between the NFL, NFLPA, and scientists.
The protocol has five steps before players can return to action:
Symptom-limited activity (rest)
Aerobic exercise
Football-specific exercise (can train with the team)
Club-based non-contact training drills (to protect the head)
Return to full activity
While it's likely that Mahomes will be back for the rest of the playoffs, I hope they don't rush his return to the field. The keys to concussion recovery are rest and time. He's a young man with a promising future; let's be sure we don't ruin it.
For more information about concussions, visit the Concussion Legacy Foundation and the American Academy of Neurology.
Dr. Gregory Charlop and Retired Athlete Health are dedicated to caring for active and retired athletes. Contact Dr. Charlop today with any sports health questions or to arrange an appointment. Learn more about anti-aging and performance medicine from Dr. Charlop's new book Why Doctors Skip Breakfast: Wellness Tips to Reverse Aging, Treat Depression, and Get a Good Night's Sleep.
