Does Gender Play a Part in Susceptibility, Symptoms, Severity or Recovery from Head Trauma?
When you think about concussions, particularly ones that are sports-related, there’s a tendency to focus on male-dominated sports, such as football and boxing, which may lead you to believe that men are both more susceptible to concussions and more likely to suffer a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Extensive research over the past decade, though, consistently provides evidence of exactly the opposite. For example, one study concluded that female soccer players were 84% more likely to suffer a concussion than their male counterparts. In fact, high school female who play soccer have about the same rate of concussions as high school males who play American football.
Do Men and Women Have the Same Symptoms after a Mild TBI?
Researchers also found that females who sought treatment for a concussion reported more symptoms than males, and that the symptoms they experienced were more serious. One report found female athletes more than twice as likely to suffer post-concussion migraines, and virtually every study concluded that they were more likely to report severe headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness or vertigo, fatigue and difficulties with focus or concentration.
The studies consistently found that female athletes sustained greater cognitive impairment because of a mild TBI. Interestingly, while they fared better on verbal memory function than male athletes, they lagged behind their male counterparts on most visual memory issues.
Is There a Difference in Recovery Time?
Across the board, females generally took longer to return to maximum health, often requiring twice the time as their male counterparts. A number of the studies found that girls and women often experienced changes in sleep patterns after a single concussion, whereas most males only reported sleep disturbance after multiple concussions.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment
The CDC reports that more than 70% of all head injuries treated in emergency rooms across the United States are concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries. Studies uniformly show that early diagnosis and treatment is the key to maximum recovery from any type of concussion or traumatic brain injury. Without prompt assessment and care, though, a mild TBI can have serious consequences.
Contact Core Medical Center Today
At Core Medical Center, we understand the potential risks associated with any type of bump or blow to the head and can quickly determine the nature of your injury and the care you require. To learn more, contact Core Medical Center online or call our offices in Blue Springs, Missouri, at (819)229-1941.
