Concussions are common among student athletes in

sports, particularly football and soccer. The recent deaths of three high school athletes from around the country have raised concerns again about the dangers of sports injuries. But you don’t have to be a student athlete to suffer a concussion. School-aged individuals (ages 6-21) can suffer a concussion during every day play at home or in gym class.

A mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or to the body with an “impulsive” force transmitted to the head, this “invisible” injury disrupts the brain’s normal physiology which can affect mental endurance and function, causing the brain to work harder and longer to complete even simple tasks.

Cognitive and physical rest are essential to recovery.

A patient should see a concussion specialist if they are still symptomatic at three weeks or have the following risk factors for delayed recovery: history of ADHD or a learning disability, depression, anxiety, history of multiple concussions, migraines, symptoms lasting two to three weeks.

Arlene Goodman, MD, pediatric sports medicine specialist at Saint Peter’s Sports Medicine Institute and head of the concussion program launched this fall, answers your most frequently asked questions about concussions.

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Headache • Dizziness • Loss of consciousness • Disorientation• Nausea• Vomiting• Confusion• Vision changes• Balance problems• Personality changes• Anterograde amnesia, difficulty remembering events after the injury• Retrograde amnesia, difficulty remembering events before the injury

Other signs that people may observe in the athlete include appearing dazed or stunned; answering questions slowly; confusion about assignments or position played; forgetting instructions; and moving clumsily.

Must you have a loss of consciousness to have suffered a concussion?

No, loss of consciousness occurs in only 10 percent of concussions.

How are concussions diagnosed?

A concussion is diagnosed based on history and a physical exam. You cannot see a concussion on imaging such as CT or MRI scans.

How are concussions treated?

Initial treatment for a concussion is both cognitive and physical rest. Patients under cognitive rest cannot take part in demanding activities such as going to school, homework, reading, using a computer, watching TV or playing video games, texting, or listening to loud music.

How long does it take to recover from a concussion?

Eighty percent of high school athletes will recover in three weeks. However, 20 percent will take more than a month to recover.

What interventions should be undertaken if symptoms do not resolve in one month?

If an athlete has not recovered in a month and is complaining of headaches, eye strain, blurry vision, dizziness, or balance problems, a doctor will prescribe vestibular ocular rehabilitation with a physical therapist trained in concussion rehab. If the headaches are severe, a doctor will recommend that the patient see a

neurologist for medication management.

What are the danger signs?

Monitor for worsening symptoms and if the child shows the following, he or she should be taken to a hospital Emergency Department by ambulance:

• Unequal pupils• Convulsions• Severe or increased headache• Unusual/increased drowsiness• Projectile or repeated vomiting• Severe personality

changes• Weakness in either arm(s) or leg(s)• Numbness in the face/extremities• Bleeding/clear fluid from the ear/nose• Unusual stiffness in the neck area

When should a student return to play?

An individual should not return to play until he/she can perform a full workload at school without accommodations while being symptom-free and he/she has completed the gradual return to play protocol as recommended by a doctor.

How can you help prevent student athletes from getting a concussion?

There are a few things that can be done to decrease the likelihood that student athletes will suffer a concussion.

• Encourage and teach good sportsmanship and instill in athletes the need to follow the rules

• Teach good playing technique

• Ensure that athletes wear proper-fitting equipment. The equipment should be checked and maintained regularly.

Dr. Arlene Goodman is seeing patients at the Saint Peter’s Sports Medicine Institute, 562 Easton Avenue, Somerset. For more information about the Concussion Program at Saint Peter’s call 732-565-5455 or visit www.saintpetershcs.com/SportsMed/ConcussionFAQ.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Saint Peter’s LaunchesNew Concussion Program

A LISTING OF PROGRAMS OFFERED THIS MONTH CAN BE FOUND ON THE REVERSE SIDE.

NEED A DOCTOR? TO FIND A SAINT PETER’S PHySICIAN, CALL 1-855-SP-My-DOC (1-855-776-9362).

NOVEMBER 2014

Arlene Goodman, MD

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Support Group JULY 13, 10:00 aM – 11:30 aMSaint Peter’s Adult Day Center

CANCER SERVICES Breast Cancer Support GroupnOVeMBer 3 & 17, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMGuest speaker and open discussion.Registration required.Cancer Institute of New Jersey Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW • 732-235-7011

Gynecologic Cancer Support GroupnOVeMBer 11, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMCancer Institute of New Jersey • 732-235-6792

Latina Women with Cancer Support Group nOVeMBer 8, 10:00 aM – 1:00 PM Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Light lunch will be served. Free, but registration requested. Sessions conducted in Spanish. Call 908-658-5400 for more information.

Living with Cancer Support GroupnOVeMBer 12, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMCancer Institute of New JerseyBarbara Hale, LCSW • 732-235-7557

SUPPORT GROUPSAutism Family Support Group nOVeMBer 9, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM877-886-9462

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Support Group nOVeMBer 11, 10:00 aM – 11:30 aMSaint Peter’s Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township Rachel Kallish, CSW • 609-655-6853

Bariatric Surgery Support GroupnOVeMBer 13, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Lisa Lapinski, RD • 732-745-8600, x8159

Bereavement Support GroupnOVeMBer 6 & 20, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM732-745-8565

Caregivers Support Group/MonroenOVeMBer 13, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PMSaint Peter’s Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe TownshipStephanie Fitzsimmons-Sexton, RN, NP609-655-2220

SHARE Support Group(for those who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death)nOVeMBer 13, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMIrina Mariano-Brown, MSW, LCSW 732-745-8522

DIABETES EDUCATIONChildren’s Insulin Pump GroupnOVeMBer 11, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Donna Dziedzic, RN, MSN, CDE 732-745-8600, x8751

Diabetes Self-Management Education HeLd MOndaYs and TUesdaYsRegistration and doctor’s prescription required.732-745-6667

Gestational Diabetes Self-Management ClassHeLd WednesdaYs and THUrsdaYsRegistration and a doctor’s prescription required. 732-745-6667

COMMUNITy MOBILE HEALTH SERVICES For more information about screenings and educational programs, please call 732-745-8600, x8903. Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings nOVeMBer 14, 9:30 aM – 10:30 aM New Brunswick Senior Center, New Brunswick

nOVeMBer 14, 11:00 aM – 12:30 PM Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen, New Brunswick

nOVeMBer 19, 10:30 aM – nOOn Sterling Pointe @ Franklin, Somerset

Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar/ Cholesterol Screenings nOVeMBer 14, 9:00 aM – nOOn SS White Technologies, Piscataway Employees only.

Health Fair nOVeMBer 5, 11:00 aM – 2:00 PM Senior Health Fair Neptune Senior Center, Neptune Township

nOVeMBer 2, 11:30 aM – 1:30 PM St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Piscataway

FREE COMMUNITy LECTURES

Breast Health and Cancer Information nOVeMBer 5, 11:00 aM Presenter: Donna Makris, RN, BSN, IBCLC Neptune Senior Center, Neptune Township

ABCs of Medicare nOVeMBer 5, 1:00 PM Presenter: Pramila Veeraswamy, MD, internist Stonebridge Adult Community, Monroe Township

A Brief Overview of Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery nOVeMBer 10, 2:00 PM Presenter: V. Karthik Jonna, MD, orthopedist The Ponds Adult Community, Monroe Township

Preventing a Fall nOVeMBer 11, 1:30 PM Presenter: Erinn Beagin, MD, geriatrician Concordia Adult Community, Monroe Township

Nutrition nOVeMBer 13, nOOn - 1:00 PM Presenter: Teresa Grasso, RD, CDE Manville Senior Center, Manville

Back Pain in the Elderly nOVeMBer 18, 3:00 PM Presenter: Didier Demesmin, MD, pain specialist Clearbrook Adult Community, Monroe Township

PARENT EDUCATIONFor information, fees and registration, call Parent Education at 732-745-8579, unless otherwise indicated.

Baby Care nOVeMBer 8, 9:00 aM – 1:00 PM

nOVeMBer 3 & 10, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Breastfeeding ClassnOVeMBer 22, 9:00 aM – 11:30 aM

Breastfeeding Support GroupnOVeMBer 7, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM732-745-8600, x8820

Grandparents Class nOVeMBer 6, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Infant Massage nOVeMBer 4, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Marvelous Multiples nOVeMBer 3, 10 & 17, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

New Mom Support GroupnOVeMBer 7, nOOn – 1:00 PMLight lunch will be served at noon. Registration required.

Postnatal yoga and Exercise Class(four-week sessions)FridaYs, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Registration required.

Prenatal yoga and Exercise Class(four-week sessions)WednesdaYs and FridaYs7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Registration required.

Prepared Childbirth ClassesMOndaYs, THUrsdaYs, Or aLL-daY sessiOns seCOnd and FOUrTH WeeKendsRegistration required.

Sibling Class nOVeMBer 22, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen | State-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center

Major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences | Affiliate of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

NOVEMBER 2014

All programs are designed for community members and are held at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register for a program, call the contact number listed or visit saintpetershcs.com/newsandevents.

FOR MEN ONLyMen’s HeaLTH aWareness eVenT

WednesdaY, nOVeMBer 55:00 PM - 7:30 PM Presenter: Peter Fish, MD A night of fun featuring health education, refreshments and raffles. Community Mobile Health Services staff will provide blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, and body mass index measurement. Call 732-745-8600, ext. 6415, for more information.

BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR THUrsdaY, nOVeMBer 137:15 PM - 9:30 PM For more information, and to register, call Lisa Lapinski, RD, at 732-745-8600, x8159.

EMS EDUCATION SERIESTHUrsdaY, nOVeMBer 20 • 7:00 PM TOPiC: PHarMaCOLOgY reVieW Free; refreshments served. CEU credits. Call 908-238-3254 to register.

STROKE SCREENINGSLIFE LINE SCREENING has partnered with Saint Peter’s Healthcare System to provide health screenings throughout Central Jersey. Stroke screenings will be available at the following locations. Pre-registration is required. all screenings begin at 9:00 aM. For more details about the screening and cost for screening, call 1-866-964-5850.

TUesdaY, nOVeMBer 4 United Reformed Church, Somerville

WednesdaY, nOVeMBer 5 Sayreville Senior Center, Sayreville MOndaY, nOVeMBer 17 Manville Senior Center, Manville

WednesdaY, nOVeMBer 26 First United Methodist Church, Westfield

ANNUAL DIABETES HEAD TO TOE CONFERENCEsaTUrdaY, deCeMBer 610:00 aM - 3:00 PM Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey604 Bartholomew Road, Piscataway Busch Student CenterCall 732-469-7979 for more information.

DIABETES EDUCATION SUPPORT GROUP/MONROETHUrsdaY, deCeMBer 911:00 aM - nOOn Saint Peter’s Physician Associates Clearbrook Commons Medical and Professional Park 294 Applegarth Road, Monroe Township Call 732-745-8600, ext. 8105, for more information.

DIABETES EDUCATION SUPPORT GROUP/ NEW BRUNSWICKTHUrsdaY, deCeMBer 1010:30 aM - 11:30 aM Center for Ambulatory Resources (CARES) 240 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick Call 732-745-8600, ext. 5795, for more information.

254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 | 732-745-8600 | 800-269-7508 | www.saintpetershcs.com

Top Performer on Joint Commission Key Quality Measures™ 2012

This calendar is for information only. Do not rely on it to make healthcare decisions on your own; instead, talk with your healthcare provider for advice and treatment. Do not ignore medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. We do not suggest or endorse that you have any tests, use products, or use other information in this document without advice from your healthcare provider.

SPECIAL EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE

TREATING DIABETES AND HyPERTENSION

Saint Peter’s Healthcare System has launched a “patient-centered medical home” for uninsured and underinsured adults with diabetes mellitus and hypertension who reside in central New Jersey. This highly targeted effort takes direct aim at two of the most serious but often preventable diseases. Patients will be referred to the new Saint Peter’s program through outpatient services, the emergency department, inpatient services, same-day services, and community health screenings conducted by Saint Peter’s clinical staff. Services will be provided at Saint Peter’s Family Health Center, 123 How Lane, New Brunswick. The program will provide preventive care, education, lifestyle modification, nutrition consultation, and medication management.