Women just as prone to traumatic brain injuries as men

When writing the concussion tale in the last decade, one huge group of athletes has been left out of the story. Women are just as prone to traumatic brain injuries as men. According to research done by the American Medical Society and the National Institute of Neurological disorders, female athletes suffer more blows to the head, and encounter worse symptoms, than their male counterparts. “Females tend to have more headaches and more migraines,” says Dr. Jill Olson, owner of Peak Performance. Olson says that there is also another key distinction between male and female athletes when it comes to dealing with a potential concussion. “Females will identify their symptoms,” she says. “They are more honest with self-reporting, and they’re more honest with their parents, coaches and athletic trainers. So they usually get treatment more quickly.” And with the rising numbers of athletes sustaining concussions, Dr. Olson says the best thing that athletes can be is their own self-advocates, with their parents, teachers, coaches and friends.