Concussions are a problem. They are serious, life-altering injuries. Since the game of rugby began there have been people who have 'rang the bell'. Only recently did World Rugby's World Governing Body realize the seriousness of rugby-related head injuries, such as concussions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Much rugby played around the world is played in areas or countries where there is a shortage of medical personnel trained or qualified to recognize and treat concussions with appropriate expertise. Even in rich countries, including the UK, medical staff are rarely present in junior rugby. Furthermore, the International Rugby Board has concluded that any player with a concussion, or suspected of having an injury to the neck or skull (the skull, particularly the part that encloses the brain), should seek assessment by a doctor and be excluded from any sporting activity. activity for 3 weeks, immediately. Rugby head protectors must be mandatory. Players are free to choose which protective equipment to use during play, as long as they comply with IRB (International Rugby Body) guidelines. Protective helmets not only eliminate the invulnerability of lacerations and abrasions, but also reduce the risk of serious traumatic brain injury following a collision involving the head. Helmets are able to do this by reducing the acceleration of the head at the moment of impact, thus reducing brain-skull collision. Head protection helps, since it is the first point of impact, absorbs the initial force of the collision, then compresses the soft material to absorb the force, then slowly returns to its original shape. Making head protection mandatory for everyone will reduce the likelihood of injuries in low-impact collisions, some of which lead to concussions. Concussions are the most common injuries in rugby. The increasing risks of suffering a concussion are evident as players increase fitness and there is greater muscle development. Both of these factors combined lead to harder and larger impacts. Short-term effects of a concussion could be: amnesia and/or confusion - which invariably occur, loss of consciousness and symptoms such as dizziness, headache and even nausea may or may not be present. These are all quite common even in low-impact concussions. Health problems can also develop later due to numerous concussions during a sporting career. These problems are far more serious. Although rare, such problems can develop late in life, long after your sporting career has ended. Due to the nature of the game, players often tell themselves or are dictated to by teammates to "move on" or "man up." Even if they know they have an injury, the player normally perseveres and continues to play. Continuing to play can make the severity of further injuries increasingly dangerous. Second impact syndrome can be obtained when a person suffers a second concussion before the symptoms of the previous concussion have subsided. Experiencing this, can cause rapid swelling of the brain and cause massive brain edema. The second concussion can occur weeks, days, or hours after the initial concussion. However, it doesn't have to be another serious injury, even another minor concussion can.