A 2017 National Institutes of Health study indicates the rate of concussions reported in student athletes has doubled in sports like football, soccer and basketball from 2005-2015.

The increase is a major issue of concern, but it does not necessarily mean the actual number of concussions has increased, said Nader Ayub, primary care sports medicine physician based in Sienna Plantation. Through updated technology, it has become easier to detect consussions in patients, he said.

“We’ve been able to develop better methods in identifying and diagnosing concussions,” Ayub said.

Concussions result from forceful strikes to the head, he said. Symptoms may include headaches, nausea, light and sound sensitivity, disorientation, fatigue and balance issues.

“One of the bigger ones that I see, especially in the Fort Bend ISD kids, is that they’ll have difficulty concentrating or have difficulty remembering certain things,” Ayub said.

Concussions are serious injuries because it affects the brain—a fragile major organ that directs essential body functions and motor skills, said Richard Gregoire, FBISD’s head athletic trainer.

Based on extrapolated data, Ayub said he sees the highest concussion rates from August to December.

“A big reason for that is that’s when football season is,” he said. “During that time, I probably see about two to three [concussion cases] per week. Then—let’s say from January to May—I may see maybe two to three per month, and during the summer months, it might be either equal or less than that.”

Cognitive rest is critical in treating concussions, Gregoire said. It is important for injured athletes to not exacerbate their symptoms. Electronic devices may make the situation worse because it places strain on the eyes and brain, and it is a myth that a concussed individual should not be allowed to sleep.

FBISD administrators formed a Concussion Oversight Team, composed of athletic trainers, physicians and specialists to evaluate injured athletes and guide them through the recovery process. This was implemented in compliance with the Texas Legislature’s passage of House Bill 2038 or Natasha’s Law—named after Natasha Helmick who advocated for better protection for student athletes—in 2011. The bill also required mandatory training related to concussions for coaches and set protocols for athletes to participate in competitive sports.

Athletes should wear protective helmets whenever possible and can perform neck exercises to reduce risks of injury, Gregoire said. However, if they do sustain concussions, athletes need to be open about their injuries.

“The problem is if a player doesn’t want to be out or is afraid they’re going to lose their spot because they’re out, they’ll try to hide the symptoms,” Gregoire said. “That makes it worse a lot of the times, especially if they’re still practicing.”

Ayub said scientists are still investigating long-term effects of concussions.

“It’s a big, growing field in research that I think we still need more time to truly understand,” he said.