The number of sports related head injuries being assessed in New Brunswick’s emergency departments is on the rise, that according to research from Horizon Health.
There has been a 70 per cent increase in the number of cases from 2011 to 2015.
Dr. Tushar Pishe says specifically they are seeing more concussions, “That’s when your brain takes a shake, as a result of either a fall to your face, head or neck. People can present to their health care provider with all kinds of symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, headache and sometimes even memory loss.”
He says says this indicates that awareness campaigns are working, because more people are aware of the symptoms of concussions and other head related injuries, and and they are getting the symptoms checked out.
The top five sports in New Brunswick that sent the largest number of patients to the Emergency department for head injuries were hockey, rugby, football, soccer and cycling.
Dr. Pishe says Horizon Health has been working very hard to increase awareness through public campaigns and also through awareness kits for healthcare profossionals.
