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Dec 29, 2008 6:55 am US/Eastern
Big Ben Sustains Concussion During Browns Game
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Ben Roethlsiberger (File)
KDKA
It's a sight no Steelers fan wanted to see; Ben Roethlisberger leaving Heinz Field on a stretcher.
Doctors at UPMC Presbyterian say Roethlisberger suffered a mild concussion with no other injuries.
KDKA's Alison Morris went to see our Health Editor Dr. Maria Simbra to find out what Big Ben's injury means.
"A concussion is a short loss of normal brain function usually after a blow to the head," explains Dr. Maria. "So the most common symptoms are going to be confusion and amnesia. In other words, you forget what happened to you whenever you've hit your head."
But the symptoms could be more severe and last longer, especially since Roethlisberger suffered severe head injuries when he crashed his motorcycle in June of 2006.
"Sometimes people can have lingering symptoms, headaches, dizziness, incoordination, trouble concentrating," says Dr. Maria. "Those are the things they're going to be watching for and even sometimes the bleeding and the swelling may not show up for hours or for days. So they have to keep an eye on someone with a concussion, to look for those symptoms and maybe do additional tests if those symptoms linger."
Also, Dr. Maria say once someone has had a concussion, they are prone to other ones.
"You have to be very careful in this situation and long-term there can be cumulative damage to the brain with multiple concussions."
And while it's likely that Roethlisberger will be ready to play in the Steelers first playoff game at Heinz Field in two weeks, Dr. Maria says its important not to rush back to soon.
"If you come back too soon to the game there is a concern called "Second Impact Syndrome," that is a problem where a second blow to the head can completely mess up the way your brain regulates the blood flow and it can actually be fatal."
Dr. Maria says that Roethlisberger's doctors will most likely keep a close eye on him tonight and into Monday.
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