Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is just around the corner.  Costumes, party plans and trick-or-treating routes are all in the works. Although Halloween is not technically a sport (although I bet if I looked hard enough I could find someone who says it is) safety is still important.  When kids knock on the door and yell, “trick or treat!” we’re all assuming it’s going to be a treat, not a trick.  Just like any other event, safety should always be a first priority.  Thanks to several organizations there a tons of resources out there to help you and your family have a safe and fun Halloween.  My goal here today is to summarize some of the key points for you and link you to the major groups that have published important safety recommendations.

COSTUME RECOMMENDATIONS

• Costumes should be bright or contain reflective materials; shoes should fit well
• Avoid wearing masks as they limit visibility; use non-toxic make-up or well-fitting hats instead
• Be sure costumes parts (wigs, hats, etc.) are flame resistant
• Be sure swords, sticks, canes are soft, flexible and not sharp
• Avoid wearing colored contact lenses that are not prescription, and something you normally wear

PUMPKIN CARVING RECOMMENDATIONS

• Allow small children to draw on pumpkins and have the adult do the cutting
• Consider using flashlights or glow sticks to light pumpkins instead of candles
• Never leave lit candles unattended and be sure to place on flat, sturdy surface

PREPPING YOUR HOUSE FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS

• Be sure your porch/doorway is well lit
• Area is clean, free of trip hazards and debris
• Keep your pets safely restrained

TRICK-OR-TREATING SAFELY

• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Older children should stick to a pre-agreed upon route and return home at the agreed upon time
• Have a flashlight with fresh batteries
• Have a fully charged cell phone for communication; be sure children know how to access 9-1-1 or the local emergency number
• Go in groups and stay together
• Walk only on the sidewalks or in cross walks, carefully obey all pedestrian laws
• Children should be sure to make eye contact with any drivers before crossing the street (be sure they see you)
• Never enter a home or car for a treat

DRIVING SAFELY

• Exit and enter all driveways, alleys and cross walks slowly, some pedestrians may be difficult to see
• Pay extra attention to pedestrians on curbs and corners to be sure they are not darting into the street
• Drive with caution, particularly in residential neighborhoods
• The most popular trick-or-treating hours are between 5:30p – 9:30p, so take extra precautions during this time

This list is a combination of recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control, and Safe Kids Worldwide.  There is also a Spanish version of the Safe Kids Worldwide tip sheet and CDC “SAFE HALLOWEEN” mnemonic.  Each list has a slightly different focus so I encourage you to take a look at them all.  As a final reminder, at the end of the night be sure to look through the candy you’ve collected to remove any choking hazards and check for tampering.  For a healthier Halloween be sure to ration candy over several days following all the trick-or-treating fun.

In the end, Halloween should be about having fun with friends, but remember prevention is the best medicine.  So… pick out your best rubber sword, flame resistant wig and well-fitting pirate boots.  Get ready to hit the town to collect your candy booty.  Just don’t forget to pack your flashlight, your cell phone, and your route plan.  Grab your captain and meet your crew to trick-or-treat the whole night through!  

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Submitted by Heather L. Clemons, MS, MBA, ATC

Recognizing and Referring Athletes with Psychological Concerns

Most weeks when writing this blog I usually focus on providing you information on how to recognize signs and symptoms of potentially dangerous injuries and illnesses.  I’ve also advocated for having emergency action plans in place and an athletic trainer on site at all times.  When thinking sport safety I think we can all get a little caught up in the physical injury and illness side of things, but this week is a reminder that we need to be on the lookout for signs of mental health concerns as well.

Back in September the National Athletic Trainers’ Association published an executive summary for a coming inter-association taskforce position statement titled, “Inter-Association Recommendations for Developing a Plan to Recognize and Refer Student-Athletes with Psychological Concerns at the Collegiate Level.”  The primary goal of the statement is to help colleges develop an evidence-based action plan for recognizing, referring and managing student-athletes who may be suffering from mental illness.    According to statistics published in the statement 1 in 4-5 youths meet the criteria for a mental health disorder and experience a severe level of impairment across a lifetime.  Based on a 2012 study, 45.9 million adults 18 years or older experienced mental illness during 2010.  Of those 46 million, the 18 – 25 year olds comprised 29.9% of the total group experiencing mental illness.  Mental health issues are a growing concern, but especially in the 18-25 year old age group. 

Athletic trainers are taught to recognize and refer athletes who they believe may be suffering from mental health issues, however overall care for the athlete must be a team effort.  Colleges need to have an action plan for how mental health issues will be addressed and it should involve the team physician, athletic trainer, and university and community counseling services.  If you have a child in college and playing sports do you know what the action plan is should they need care regarding a mental health issue?    Did their pre-participation physical examination questionnaire include questions about their mental health history?  Do you what types of physical conditions can predispose someone to mental health issues? 

The executive summary provided by the NATA provides some of the basic answers to the questions I have posed and the full position statement will be published for public viewing shortly.  I recommend that you take a look at the statement and do the work to become aware of the resources available to your college-aged children (whether they’re athletes or not).  It’s always better to be prepared and know what to do before mental health referral is needed than to scramble for answers once you realize there is a concern.  As always, be prepared and plan ahead for the best results.

Moving forward, based on feedback from readers I am happy to discuss/review specific mental health concerns.  To suggest a topic you would like me to blog about you can send an email to Heather Clemons or tweet me @AlfredSB10.

Submitted by Heather L. Clemons, MS, MBA, ATC

October is Sudden Cardiac Awareness Month

For many of us October is a month of two colors:  orange and pink.  Orange in all its variations seems to be the standard color for fall and the upcoming Halloween festivities.  Pink is the standard color of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  It’s the time of year for walks and other fundraising and awareness events; even your favorite NFL players can be seen wearing pink every Sunday.  I’d like to add another color to the October repertoire:  red.  October is also recognized as National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month.  Organizations such as the Heart Rhythm Society are beefing up efforts to improve awareness and education around sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and all those affected. 

Those of you who follow A4IA know that SCA is one of the primary conditions that can affect athletes, even at a young age.  The ASA™ program spends time teaching student-athletes to recognize SCA and report it accordingly.  Student-athletes are also taught how to perform hands-only CPR and used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to respond as directed.  The ASA™ program focuses on this condition in young athletes, but SCA can strike at any age.  Understanding the basics about SCA and having the skills to respond could save someone’s life.

KEY POINTS ABOUT SCA:

• 350,000 deaths occur annually due to SCA (more than breast cancer, lung cancer, AIDS)
• Claims a life about every 90 seconds
• Is NOT a heart attack (it is an electrical problem, not a blood flow problem)
• 95% of people who experience SCA die
• Can often occur without any warning signs (approximately in 2/3 of all cases)
• Risk factors include a low ejection fraction (EF), family history of sudden death, unexplained episodes of fainting, heart attack, abnormal heart rhythm

SCA TREATMENT:

Time is of the essence when treating SCA.  If you suspect SCA you should call 911 immediately and begin treatment.  Using an AED is the preferred treatment for SCA, if available. Treatment with an AED within 4-6 minutes of suffering SCA increases survival rates. If an AED is not available, begin CPR until emergency personnel arrives.

SCA:  CAN YOU RECOGNIZE IT?

Some of the most interesting information I found on the HRS website relates to recent research data that was collected relative to awareness of SCA in the general public and among physicians.  Some of the more interesting finding include:

• 1 in 4 people can correctly identify SCA
• 65% of people believe SCA is the same as a heart attack
• 90% of people underestimate the number of people who die from SCA
• Consumers who suffer heart-related symptoms are more likely NOT to see a physician regarding their symptoms, even if they are at risk for heart disease

SCA RESOURCES/EVENTS:

The American Heart Association has devoted a significant portion of their web resources to better understanding SCA.  Click HERE to learn more.

Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation is sponsoring another heart screening event on October 20, 2013 at Patrick Henry High School.  To learn more or register for this event, click HERE.

Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) provides a variety of fact sheets and resources regarding SCA, atrial fibrillation and other related topics.  For more information click, HERE and check out the left-sided menu.  If you have the time I would encourage you explore even more of the website as there is a wealth of information and resources available here for consumers and physicians.

Korey Stringer Institute provides SCA recognition and treatment guidelines.  If you love to read the research you should check out KSI’s research publications database, simply scroll down to cardiac conditions.  If you’d like to learn more about AEDs click HERE.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association is devoted entirely to SCA.  

Submitted by Heather L. Clemons, MS, MBA, ATC

Recent Concussion Bylines

As many of you know I like to periodically scan the news and research publications to update you on what is happening in the world of sport-related concussions.  Given the recent release of post-concussion syndrome treatment guidelines and the start of the new NFL season concussions still remain a common topic of discussion.  Below you find links to recent research studies, personal stories and injury reports relating to concussions.  This information is posted for your review and critical analysis.  I will provide a brief description of the links I have posted to give you a better starting point for what you’re about to read.

NFL CONCUSSION COUNTS:

It seems if you read the sports section of any newspaper on Monday it is littered with reports of who was diagnosed with a concussion, who returned after a concussion on who didn’t.  Ever wonder how many concussions happen in the NFL in a given week and ultimately over the season?  If so, here are some links you can follow to track that information for yourself:

The Concussion Blog

Frontline’s Concussion Watch Project

RECENT RESEARCH RESULTS:

There is always a regular stream of concussion research being published.  The topics range from understanding the forces that cause concussions, understanding diagnostic tools, recommendations on how to manage concussions and the role of equipment in concussion prevention.  As I scan the various outlets some of the more interesting research publications that have caught my attention are the following:

Guidelines for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Persistent Symptoms.  Published by the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation these guidelines focus on how to manage treatment in patients that are suffering from post-concussion syndrome (PCS).  It is important to note that the recommendations are based on the broader topic of mTBI, not just sports-related concussions.  The statement does take the time to speak to sports-related concussions specifically, while also addressing a variety of common PCS symptoms such as persistent headache and mood changes (anxiety, depression).

Post-exertion neurocognitive test failure among student-athletes following concussion.  The author’s in this study show that athletes who passed a neurocognitive exam (like imPACT) at rest, often failed if the same test if performing physical exertion prior to completing the exam.  Authors advocate for post-concussion neurocognitive testing to include an exam following physical exertion as part of the return-to-play protocol.

Sport-Related Concussion:  How Many is Too Many?  Is a review article where authors review available current research in an effort to systematically answer the question, “How many is too many?”

Time Interval between Concussion and Symptom Duration.  Authors attempt to understand the impact of previous concussion history has on the duration of symptoms of additional concussions.  Authors state that children with a previous history of concussion (especially repeat concussions) are at higher risk for prolonged symptoms following a concussion.

NCAA Concussion Education in Ice Hockey:Authors systematically review the materials and methods used by the NCAA to provide concussion education to its member institution athletes (specifically in ice hockey) and found the materials and techniques did not significantly change athlete’s reporting behavior. 

OTHER INTERESTING STORIES:

Is the iOS 7 Making You Sick?  Here’s Why… I first saw this piece linked on The Knockout Project, but apparently a lot of people are having a tough time with this one, especially those with PCS or a previous history of concussions.

ER Visits, Hospital Admissions for Children with Concussion Skyrocketing.  Recent research shows a growing number of children being seen in the ER for concussions.

The NFL and Concussions:  Knowing What We Knew.  An interesting read regarding concussion management and the role sport culture (particularly as promoted by coaches) plays in under reporting and returning to play too soon.

League of Denial:  The NFL's Concussion Crisis:  The book becomes available Tuesday while the 2-part documentary starts next week.

Pink Concussions:  A resource focused on the concussion experience in girls and women.  They are currently seeking girls to participate in a research study who have a history of concussion.

This is just a smattering of the most recent information that is out there.  There is so much more.  As always I encourage you to do your own research and reading on topics that interest you.  There are a variety of digital search tools out there that can help you do your searches systematically.  If you'd like to learn more about how to do this just drop me a line and I'd be happy to help!

Submitted by Heather L. Clemons, MS, MBA, ATC