Super Bowl MVP, St. Clare's Talk About Dangers of Concussions

On Wednesday and Thursday, Saint Clare’s Health System hosted a two-day seminar featuring former New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson on the signs and symptoms of concussions at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany.

The event was organized by the Concussion Center for Children and Adolescents at Saint Clare’s Health System, which opened this spring in Denville. The seminars were held for trainers, coaches and the general public.

In a release, Saint Clare’s cites a statistic by the American Academy of Pediatrics saying that more than 400,000 high school athletes suffer brain injuries, including concussions. It also says the Concussion Center for Children and Adolescents at Saint Clare’s provides a full range of testing, evaluation, treatment, and educational services.

“One of the most difficult problems facing sports medicine practitioners is the recognition, treatment, and management of athletes–especially student athletes–with head injuries,” Dr. Sandy Waran, Medical Director of Saint Clare’s Children’s Neurology and Epilepsy Center, said in the release.

The release said symptoms can include dizziness, confusion, nausea, slurred speech and memory problems–but may not be easily recognizable or diagnosed during a sporting event, and repeated concussions may lead to edema, swelling, herniation or death.

Anderson, the MVP of Super Bowl XXV with the Giants, shared some of his experiences over the two-day seminar.

 “I have certainly taken my share of hits and have probably had my share of concussions,” said Anderson in the release. “With baseline testing already in hand, and utilizing state-of-the-art technology, we can protect future athletes.”