As many as 3.8-million concussions are reported every year. Most people think of male athletes when they think of concussions, but new research is showing young women may be more likely to suffer this injury.
Claire Stieg has a passion for horses and has been riding since she was a little girl. But at age 14, Claires favorite sport turned dangerous, while playing polo, she was thrown from her horse. I hit the ground so hard that I blacked out and had a seizure Claire told Ivanhoe.
Claire suffered a concussion and she isnt alone. Recent research shows female athletes get just as many, if not more, concussions as males.
Philip Stieg, MD, Chief of Neurosurgery of the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center said, Typically, concussions occur around some event when you receive a blow to the head.
One study found high school girls who play soccer are 68-percent more likely to have a concussion than boys. In sports played by both genders, girls are reporting nearly twice as many concussions and studies have shown girls take longer to recover from concussion symptoms. They can have headaches; they can have sleep disorders, Submitappetite disorders and cognitive disorders Doctor Stieg told Ivanhoe.
Doctors are still trying to figure out why more females are being affected. A reason may be that girls neck muscles are less developed making them more susceptible to head shaking and secondary concussion. Doctor Stieg explained, Women are more likely to report theyve had concussive injuries than men.
Claire suffered headaches and was extremely tired after her concussion. But after two weeks of rest, she felt better and is now playing college polo at Cornell! Claire recalled, I wasnt afraid to get back on the horse. I really wanted to get back on and ride.
Doctor Stieg says most concussions resolve themselves within seven days but if you are still having symptoms like headaches or trouble sleeping, you should see a doctor immediately.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Christina Stolfo
Office of Public Affairs
New York-Presbyterian Hospital
212-305-5587
Chs0135@nyp.org