Is Susceptibility to Concussion Age-Related? Is the Impact of a Concussion Different, Based on Your Age?
Because one of the common causes of concussions is falls, there’s a perception that seniors and other older persons are at greater risk of that type of head trauma. It’s also commonly believed that younger persons are better able to recover from the effects of a concussion. Recent studies indicate that both of these assumptions are false.
Younger People Tend to Be at Greater Risk of Concussion
A seven-year study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) looked at nearly 9 million patients, of whom nearly 44,000 were diagnosed with a concussion. The study found that almost one in three concussion patients were between the ages of 10 and 19. Individuals between the ages of 15 and 19 had the highest incidences of concussion, nearly double that of children between the ages of 10 and 14. Young adults (between 20 and 24) were next in frequency of concussions, followed closely by children ages 5 to 9.
Experts believe that persons within these age groups are at greater risk of concussion because they are far more active, typically involved in more sports and other physical activities. For really young children, the fact that their brains are not fully developed is believed to make them more likely to suffer a concussion.
Younger Children Exhibit More Severe Symptoms after a Concussion
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the age of a child was found to be the most important factor in whether a child suffered severe symptoms of concussion. In that study, children under the age of seven consistently showed more serious conditions after a head injury that children of any other age.
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At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of personal injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.
