The number of youngsters suffering from concussions has risen by more than 70 percent, according to new data. A recent collective investigation of health insurance claims of more than 900,000 cases indicated a spike in figures of adults being diagnosed with a concussion.
The data for the study was derived from the insurance claims submitted to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) firm, Fox News reported. Further, the data collected indicated that people between the ages of 20 and 64 were among those being diagnosed with concussions.
Chief Medical Officer at BCBS, Dr. Trent Haywood in a statement said: "The study shows there is more awareness about the seriousness of concussions and that younger individuals are receiving more care for these injuries than in the past."
Dr. Haywood said despite new protocols coming into effect, a wide gap remains in the manner that the condition is being diagnosed from state to state.
Scientists observed that the rates of concussion were higher in males than in females. In addition, the data also indicated that the rates of diagnosis were highest in the fall season.
Furthermore, in terms of the States, the highest spike of concussion cases was reported from the state of Alabama.
Dr. Ashish Vyas of Baptist Health Neurological Clinic told ABC that he gets a lot of youngsters coming in as referrals to the clinic for a concussion.
He said a majority of the youngsters were high school or college students who play sports like football.
Dr. James Robinson, head physician at Alabama University, added that better awareness about concussions meant the chances of early management and treatment of the condition are greater than previous times.
Watch the video for more information about concussions: