Although scientists aren’t sure why, concussions appear to affect women more adversely than they do men. While concussion research rarely focuses on women, women – according to Scientific American – suffer a greater number of concussions, experience more serious symptoms, and recover more slowly than do their male counterparts. As such, women’s advocacy groups are pushing for a better understanding of the science behind the issue and for recommendations related to prevention protocols that are gender-specific and related to clinical practices best suited for treating women with concussions.
Sports Statistics
The rate of concussions in female athletes are much higher than they are for male athletes playing comparable sports (rates per 1,000 athlete exposures over a 5-year period):
- For soccer, women had a 6.3 experience rate while men had a 3.4 experience rate.
- For basketball, females had a 6.0 experience rate while males had a 3.9 experience rate.
- For both baseball and softball, females had a 3.3 experience rate while males had a 0.9 experience rate.
Males exceeded female sports concussion rates only for swimming and diving. Across both sexes, athletes appear to experience headache, dizziness, and concentration issues with concussions. Among injured high school athletes, however, more females report light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, nausea, and drowsiness. The female high school athletes also needed more time before they could return to normal activity.
Adolescence Marks the Disparity
The disparity in incidence and severity of concussions doesn’t begin until children hit puberty. Younger children of both sexes have similar symptoms and concussion rates. Puberty is a significant developmental milestone that represents a distinct point of divergence for males and females. With the onset of puberty, females begin to experience a heightened incidence of concussions, have unique and more serious symptoms, and are prone to slower recoveries. Both sexes, however, begin to experience more similar symptoms after females go through menopause.
Your Concussion
If you’ve suffered a concussion because of someone else’s negligence, you need the skilled legal services of an experienced Fargo-Moorhead personal injury attorney. Although the science related to concussions and how they differ across both sexes is in its early stages, it could have significant ramifications for the future treatment of concussions. If an accident has left you or a family member injured, seek immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis of a concussion often leads to an improved prognosis.
If You’ve Suffered a Concussion That Was Caused by Someone Else’s Negligence, Consult with an Experienced Fargo-Moorhead Personal Injury Attorney Today
Slip and falls and car crashes are common causes of concussions, and if you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence, the dedicated legal team at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys in Fargo is here to help. Our experienced and committed personal injury attorneys have the skill and compassion to aggressively advocate for the compensation to which you are entitled. Concussions can have far-reaching physical and emotional consequences that should never be ignored. For more information, please email one of our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys – Tim O’Keeffe, Tatum O’Brien, or Sara Monson – or call them at 701-235-8000 or 877-235-8002 (toll-free) today.
