Concussions are a serious concern, especially with the spring sports season around the corner. A special seminar held at Hofstra University aimed to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of concussions, and how to handle them appropriately.

Bryce Tolmie, a Hofstra graduate, shared his personal experience of struggling with the lingering effects of a concussion he suffered while playing lacrosse in high school.

“It was weird. It was like I wasn’t myself,” he recalled. Even months after the injury, Tolmie found himself slurring his speech and struggling with basic tasks, such as solving simple math problems. “It was frustrating…this was something I should be able to do,” he explained.

Tolmie is now an athletic trainer, and he was one of the many professionals who participated in the Concussion Outreach Prevention Education seminar at Hofstra. The event emphasized the importance of recognizing concussion symptoms.

According to experts, common signs of a concussion include dizziness and headaches, but more severe symptoms, such as a loss of consciousness or a noticeable change in behavior, can also occur. Dr. Russell Camhi, Hofstra's team physician, urges coaches, parents, and athletic trainers to be vigilant. “Any time your student athlete is not themselves or your child is not themselves, just have them pause, pull them out of athletic activity, and get them evaluated by a professional,” Dr. Camhi said.

This proactive approach is essential because, as experts explained, an athlete who sustains a concussion should not return to physical activity until they are fully cleared, as another head injury could potentially be more severe.

“Concussion doesn’t add one plus one. It’s kind of exponential,” said Dr. Camhi, emphasizing that further injuries can increase in severity very quickly.

Hofstra Assistant Professor Kristin LoNigro pointed out that parents might not recognize the signs of a concussion.

“Parents really don’t know how to properly assess their child coming home with a head injury, so that is the reason why we want to try to get the education out there,” LoNigro said.

In addition to raising awareness about the symptoms of concussions, medical professionals are also focusing on an approach known as "active recovery."

This approach allows patients to gradually return to school and physical activity in a safe manner, avoiding the risks of reinjury.