“What’s troubling here is that many families in a neighborhood like this — families like the Sheftons — did not know that the threat existed,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. He spoke at a news conference outside the Cleveland home that Ken Shefton’s family recently vacated near the former site of the Tyroler Metals lead smelter.

• INTERACTIVE: Explore old factory sites, photos, videos

• MORE: Full coverage of lead smelter investigation

Brown sent a letter Sunday to Scott Nally, director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, expressing concern about the lead-poisoning risks posed by soil around Tyroler Metals and 16 other former lead smelting sites in Ohio featured in a USA TODAY investigation last month.

“It is critical that families living near the other smelters around the state are made aware of possible health concerns,” Brown said in his letter, which also seeks an update from the agency on the status of cleanup efforts at the Ohio sites and whether there will be any action to address contamination around the Tyroler Metals site.

The Ohio EPA has not responded since April to requests from USA TODAY, including on Friday, for updates about any actions it is taking to address potential health hazards posed by the sites.

USA TODAY has reported that the state agency knew eight years ago that soil in a nearby neighborhood was contaminated with lead particles. Most of the state’s tests at the time showed lead levels two to five times the federal hazard level for bare soil where children play, records show. Yet neighbors were never alerted about the hazard until USA TODAY last month published details of the state’s tests — as well as the newspaper’s own soil tests, which found similarly high levels of lead at other yards in the area.

Shefton, the father of five boys, appeared with Brown at the news conference. “I need to know the lead levels here are like twice the legal limit for children,” he said, “because I’ve got five.”

Shefton and his family moved out of the neighborhood last month after USA TODAY’s tests showed high levels of lead in his yard, then he learned that his 6-year-old son, Jonathan, had an elevated level of lead in his blood. Jonathan’s test results were the last straw, Shefton told USA TODAY for the article, which featured a photo of him and his son on the front page. Sunday’s news conference was held outside of Shefton’s former home.

The Tyroler Metals site was one of more than 230 forgotten lead factories — that operated in an era before environmental regulations — featured in USA TODAY’s investigation. A smelter operated at the Tyroler site from about 1927 to 1957, records show. Smelting no longer occurs at the site, which is now a scrap yard with different owners.

More than a decade ago, a scientific researcher warned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that the soil in hundreds of neighborhoods might be contaminated with dangerous levels of lead from factories that operated in the 1930s to the 1960s, but had since closed and been forgotten with the passage of time. Despite being given a list of the former factory sites’ locations, USA TODAY found that federal and state environmental officials did little to investigate many of the sites or warn people living nearby of the dangers.

Soil around lead smelters can be contaminated by lead particles that drifted out of the factories’ smokestacks and other openings in the buildings. The particles fall onto the soil, where they can build up in the top few inches and can remain for hundreds of years if left undisturbed. Soil can also be contaminated with lead from leaded gasoline emissions and flaking lead-based paint. Regardless of the source, lead particles are poison, causing lost intelligence, ADHD and other health problems — especially for children.

Children can be poisoned by ingesting tiny amounts of contaminated soil, when they put dust-covered hands or toys in their mouths. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dramatically changed the federal definition of lead poisoning, cutting by half the amount of lead in a child’s blood that should trigger protective actions.

The Tyroler Metals site, which Brown emphasized in his press conference Sunday, was highlighted by USA TODAY as an example of government failures to take action — even when their own tests showed children and families were in danger.

Regulators have known for eight years there was a problem in the neighborhood. At the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state regulators at the Ohio EPA tested 12 samples of soil around the former Tyroler Metals site in 2002 and 2003. All but one showed lead contamination above the U.S. EPA’s residential hazard level of 400 parts per million (ppm) for lead in bare soil where children play. Nine of the samples had lead levels ranging from twice to five times the hazard level, records show.

The results indicated a possible fallout zone onto a neighborhood northeast of the former smelter, the state’s report said. But the regulators said it would be difficult to prove Tyroler smelter was the source since their research identified that other smelters had been on adjacent properties dating to 1912 and that a currently operating lead-manufacturing plant was nearby.

Despite the hazardous levels of lead in the soil, the Ohio EPA never warned the neighborhood. Instead it sent its report in 2003-04 to the U.S. EPA and the Cleveland health department. But neither took any actions until USA TODAY’s report.

Since then, the Cleveland health department has been canvassing neighborhoods around the Tyroler Metals site to distribute lead poisoning-prevention literature. The department also sent its health mobile to the neighborhood to give children free blood tests to check for lead poisoning. The city is convening a Lead Task Force to determine whether soil cleanups are needed around the former smelter sites in Cleveland.

The U.S. EPA has said that it is reviewing information about the former Tyroler site and will be discussing with the Ohio EPA and city health officials whether additional action is warranted. The U.S. EPA said it had no further update on Friday.

Sunday’s news conference was the latest effort by Brown to seek action around the former smelter sites. On May 9, Brown and five other senators sent a letter to U.S. EPA administrator Lisa Jackson urging the agency to take “immediate action” to review smelter sites that had not been assessed and to set priorities for cleanups.

Last month, Brown asked the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to hold a hearing on the smelter issue. The committee, which already had planned to have hearings on issues relating to lead poisoning and lead contamination, has said it will take up the issue this summer.

Article source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2012-05-20/ohio-senator-seeks-answers-on-lead-contamination/55097286/1

A report showing more than 100,000 children are on prescriptions
for drugs to treat hyperactivity is a cause for concern, Family
First NZ says.

That is a jump from around 60,000 being prescribed such drugs in
2001.

National Director of Family First Bob McCroskie said better
diagnosis with second opinions and treatment of underlying problems
should be the highest priority.

“Doctors are under pressure for a quick fix when counselling,
better diet, firm discipline and a decent sleep pattern would be
better.”

In the Waikato the number of children prescribed drugs
(including Ritalin, Rubifen and Concerta) to treat Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) went from 5800 in 2001 to
8400 last year – almost 10% of the region’s children.

Canterbury has the most children on the drugs – with 13,300
getting prescriptions last year.

The huge rise in numbers has one expert convinced the drug is
being over prescribed and kids misdiagnosed because of it.

It is widely agreed that up to 5% of school children are
affected by ADHD, but the number of children prescribed the drug
last year puts that number at around 12%.

Psychologist and behavioural expert Frances Steinberg is also
concerned and believes shoddy, lazy diagnostic processes are
resulting in children labelled with ADHD when they are suffering
other problems such as foetal alcohol syndrome, sleep deprivation
or anxiety.

Steinberg said diagnosing ADHD was a complex process, that
required a lot of time to get right. “But it’s a lot easier to
write a script and see what happens.”

While the drugs might show some positive effect in the short
term on those without ADHD, they wouldn’t long-term, leaving the
child misdiagnosed and untreated for their real problems.

“In the long run we’ll have an entire generation whose needs are
not being met.”

But developmental paediatrician Andrew Marshall disagreed,
saying the increase was down to a better understanding of the
condition and the drugs to treat it.

While in an “ideal world” a paediatrician would have 10 hours to
diagnose a child, that wasn’t realistic “… but you can get it
right – most of the time – very efficiently and being efficient and
safe is what doctors are good at”.

Pharmac medical director Peter Moodie said the numbers “hadn’t
rung alarm bells” when compared with other countries. In the United
States, Ritalin prescriptions increased by 83% between 2006 and
2010.

He also believed more awareness of the disease contributed to
the increase.

Waikato University psychologist Carrie Barber agreed ADHD was a
difficult disease to diagnose and took more than just a sit-down
with a child.

“If a child came in to my office I wouldn’t necessarily see they
had ADHD.

“You’d need to go out and see them in a school setting, but that
takes a lot of resources and psychiatrists and paediatricians don’t
have the time to do that.”

Barber said drugs might be worth a try – but should be stopped
if they weren’t working.

The drugs

The most commonly used drug to treat ADHD in New Zealand is
Methylphenidate which comes in short and long release.

Short release drugs like Ritalin last about three to four hours,
while long release, like Concerta, last around 10 hours.

They suppress the classical symptoms of ADHD, allowing the
children to focus without being disruptive.

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Article source: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/100-000-kids-hyperactivity-drugs-4895055

All dressed up

Attempting to leave the house…arrest behind me

Article source: http://www.chicagojournal.com/Blogs/NATO-Updates/05-20-2012/A_cocktail_dress,_a_gala_and_Uber

Experts are urging parents to lock away single-dose laundry detergent packets as poison control centres see a rise in calls related to young children’s exposure to soap that comes in small packages.

Toddlers who swallowed the packs have been seriously ill and hospitalized, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Other children put the detergent in their eyes, causing significant irritation.

Some young children ingested the detergent when the pack popped in their mouths.

Symptoms like profuse vomiting, wheezing and gasping can occur within 10 minutes of swallowing the detergent packet.

Article source: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1181419--poison-centres-warn-parents-about-single-dose-laundry-detergent-packs

Prescriptions for drugs to treat hyperactivity have soared in a
decade with more than 100,000 Kiwi children now on
medication.

That is a jump from around 60,000 being prescribed such drugs in
2001.

In the Waikato the number of children prescribed drugs
(including Ritalin, Rubifen and Concerta) to treat Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) went from 5800 in 2001 to
8400 last year – almost 10% of the region’s children.

Canterbury has the most children on the drugs – with 13,300
getting prescriptions last year.

The huge rise in numbers has one expert convinced the drug is
being over prescribed and kids misdiagnosed because of it.

It is widely agreed that up to 5% of school children are
affected by ADHD, but the number of children prescribed the drug
last year puts that number at around 12%.

That is a concern to psychologist and behavioural expert Frances
Steinberg, who believes shoddy, lazy diagnostic processes are
resulting in children labelled with ADHD when they are suffering
other problems such as foetal alcohol syndrome, sleep deprivation
or anxiety.

Steinberg said diagnosing ADHD was a complex process, that
required a lot of time to get right. “But it’s a lot easier to
write a script and see what happens.”

While the drugs might show some positive effect in the short
term on those without ADHD, they wouldn’t long-term, leaving the
child misdiagnosed and untreated for their real problems.

“In the long run we’ll have an entire generation whose needs are
not being met.”

But developmental paediatrician Andrew Marshall disagreed,
saying the increase was down to a better understanding of the
condition and the drugs to treat it.

While in an “ideal world” a paediatrician would have 10 hours to
diagnose a child, that wasn’t realistic “… but you can get it
right – most of the time – very efficiently and being efficient and
safe is what doctors are good at”.

Pharmac medical director Peter Moodie said the numbers “hadn’t
rung alarm bells” when compared with other countries. In the United
States, Ritalin prescriptions increased by 83% between 2006 and
2010.

He also believed more awareness of the disease contributed to
the increase.

Waikato University psychologist Carrie Barber agreed ADHD was a
difficult disease to diagnose and took more than just a sit-down
with a child.

“If a child came in to my office I wouldn’t necessarily see they
had ADHD.

“You’d need to go out and see them in a school setting, but that
takes a lot of resources and psychiatrists and paediatricians don’t
have the time to do that.”

Barber said drugs might be worth a try – but should be stopped
if they weren’t working.

The drugs

The most commonly used drug to treat ADHD in New Zealand is
Methylphenidate which comes in short and long release.

Short release drugs like Ritalin last about three to four hours,
while long release, like Concerta, last around 10 hours.

They suppress the classical symptoms of ADHD, allowing the
children to focus without being disruptive.

Do you think hyperactivity drugs are over-prescribed for
children? Have your say on our messageboard

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Article source: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/100-000-children-hyperactivity-drugs-4895055

Where to go

The Children’s Speech and Learning Center is at 1247 Riverside Ave., Fort Collins. For information or to set up an appointment, call 419-0486 or visit csrckids.org.

The Children’s Speech and Learning Center will host its annual book fair from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Barnes and Noble, 4045 S. College Ave., Fort Collins. In addition, at 2 p.m., Dr. Temple Grandin will speak and sign copies of her new book, “Different … Not Less: Inspiring Stories of Achievement and Successful Employment from Adults with Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD.”

How does your child hear and speak?

The following are among the many ways a child hears and learns to speak at certain ages and is not a complete representation of milestones.

For a full list of guidelines, visit the American Speech-Language Hearing Association at asha.org/public/speech/development/chart.htm.

Birth-3 months: Startles at loud sounds, recognizes your voice, cries differently for different needs, makes cooing sounds and smiles when he sees you.

4-6 months: Moves eyes in direction of sounds, responds to changes in tone of your voice, babbles and makes gurgling sounds.

7 months-1 year: Turns and looks in direction of sounds, responds to requests, imitates different speech sounds and has one or two words such as mama or dada, even though they may not be clear.

1-2 years: Follows simple commands, listens to simple stories and songs, says more words every month and puts two words together.

2-3 years: Understands meaning of go/stop, big/little, up/down, uses two- to three-word sentences and uses speech that is understood by familiar listeners.

3-4 years: Hears when you call from another room, understands who? What? Where? Why? And uses sentences that have four or more words easily understood by those outside the family.

4-5 years: Pays attention to and understands short stories, hears and understands most of what is said at home and school, uses sentences that give lots of details, communicates with other children and says most sounds correctly except for a few such as l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh, th.

From the minute they bring home that bundle of joy, most parents begin charting milestones: baby’s first smile; the day she starts cooing; whether he’ll say mama or dada first.

A child’s development of communication skills from birth to toddler marks a progression of amazing accomplishments that set the foundation for the future. Should there be any problems in these areas, the earlier they’re identified and treated, the better.

The ability to speak and properly use language has a significant effect on a child’s behavior as well as social and academic skills, says Kathy Mason, executive director at Children’s Speech Reading Center in Fort Collins, which specializes in identifying and treating childhood speech-language delays. “Early intervention and treatment makes such a difference in a child’s life,” she says. “Speech and language skills a child’s confidence, social life and ability to learn and do school work.”

As the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) celebrates Better Hearing and Speech Month, the Center hopes to raise awareness.

Speech and language disorders affect 14 million Americans, 10 percent of whom are children. In Northern Colorado, it’s estimated that approximately two children in every classroom have some kind of speech-language problems.

The development of communication skills begins in infancy, before the emergence of the first word, and identifying potential problem isn’t always a simple task, since not all children develop at the same pace, even within the same family.

Often, a pediatrician will sound an alert, but most likely it’s the parent who suspects something is just a little off with a child’s progress.

The ASHA offers a guideline (see information box) from birth to 5 years as a measuring stick, with the understanding that children usually don’t master all items in a category and not accomplishing one or two skills doesn’t necessarily indicate a disorder.

Sarah Markel, a speech-language pathologist at the Center, says the guidelines are an average and allow some room for individual progress. “As an example, a child should be able to say his or her first word by the age of 12 months, but that’s an average,” she says. “We recommend you allow an additional three months on either side of that.”

Difficulties can be subtle, such as a child who is not able to apply meaning to a word or translate what he hears.

“Some children are not as verbal as others and will develop at their own pace, while others have more severe delays,” says Markel. “We can identify the problem if there is one and correct it.”

Markel says parents should trust their instincts and not be afraid to have their child tested. “We offer a free screening so they can find out for sure,” she says. “Either way, it will be to their benefit. They’ll either be reassured that nothing is wrong or relieved that there is a plan for treating whatever problem we find.”

Sometimes parents are reluctant to seek treatment because they’re worried about having their children labeled. “However, the beauty of many of these disorders is that they’re so often treatable,” Markel says.

For the most part, a child with difficulties can be helped within six months, says Mason. “But, others can take more work, so the sooner we can begin treatment, the more progress we make. “

Thanks to generous financial help from two local organizations, Overland Sertoma and the Scottish Rite Foundation, the Center is able to offer free testing for children. “These organizations are invaluable in collaborating to serve the children of Northern Colorado with speech-language disorders,” Mason says.

Following free testing, the Center designs a custom program based on the individual needs of each child. Scholarship payments can be set up, depending on age of the child and family income. Scholarships are available with payments based on a sliding scale. The Center also accepts Medicaid, but not any other insurance program.

Joyce Davis is a freelance writer who lives in Longmont. She can be reached at joycerhvitality@yahoo.com.

Article source: http://www.reporterherald.com/lifestyles/health/ci_20648300/early-intervention-can-aid-children-speech-and-language

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My little grandson, age 7, was put on Intuniv three months ago. According to his teacher, his attention span was not as good as the other children’s, and without medication his grades could be affected. He used to be an exuberant, happy child, but now he’s moody and sleeps every day after school. On weekends when I visit, he sleeps most of the afternoon and is quiet and withdrawn when he wakes. He complains that the backs of his legs hurt. I think my son and daughter-in-law heeded the suggestion of this teacher without doing any research. The medicine is taking a lot of quality time out of this boy’s life. I value any suggestions you have. — E.K.

Dr. Donohue

ANSWER: Your grandson has been labeled as having ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children (and adults) with this problem find it impossible to stay focused. They’re restless and can’t stay still for any length of time. They tend to be impulsive and distracted by anything that catches their fancy. Such children all but inevitably fall behind their classmates in learning.

Between 5 percent and 10 percent of children are said to suffer from ADHD, and about 2 percent of adults have it.

Medicating children with ADHD must be done with care and with evidence that the medicine is not creating worse problems than the disorder. A youngster who is as sedated as your grandson appears to be is getting too much medicine. His dose ought to be reduced or a change in medicine should be made. He might benefit more by being taken off medicine and seeing what maturity does for him.

A doctor must have written the prescription for Intuniv. The boy’s parents ought to tell the doctor how greatly the boy’s personality and activity have changed. This child might be better served taking him to a doctor who has experience in treating ADHD. A pediatrician is well-equipped to judge if medicine should be prescribed and if the dose of medicine is not excessive. Leg pain isn’t listed as a side effect of Intuniv.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 57-year-old man, type 2 diabetic, and am experiencing annoying trips to the bathroom seven to eight times a night, and equally during the day. I feel dehydrated no matter how much I drink. My mouth is always dry. Could this be a symptom of parasites in my body? — R.

ANSWER: No, I don’t believe you have parasites. More likely, your diabetes might be out of control. Are you checking your blood sugar regularly? Or you could have an entirely different problem, one that arises from not making enough of a hormone that influences how much urine is made. The hormone is AVP, arginine vasopressin, which used to be called antidiuretic hormone. It comes from the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. AVP regulates how much fluid is diverted to the urine. Without the hormone, enormous quantities of urine are made. The body does become dehydrated, and the mouth dries. You must see the family doctor right away.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: You wrote about hair loss and suggested that the writer (a woman) try Rogaine. I have the same problem and looked for it. I read on the label that Rogaine is NOT for women. I hope you address this. — G.C.

ANSWER: Go back to the store. Rogaine, without any other words attached, contains 2 percent minoxidil, a medicine that started its life as a blood pressure drug. Two percent is safe for women.

Men’s minoxidil is sold as Extra Strength Rogaine and has 5 percent minoxidil. Women use a reduced amount because they are more sensitive to minoxidil’s possible blood-pressure-lowering effect.

TO READERS: Recurring vaginal infections are often troubling to women. The booklet on that topic explains them and their treatment. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 1203, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6. Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

* * *

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

Article source: http://health.heraldtribune.com/2012/05/20/adhd-medicines-need-careful-adjusting/

Around 800,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, costing the economy more than £23bn every year. In less than 10 years, it is estimated that a million people will be living with the condition, rising to 1.7 million by 2051. If dementia is discovered and treated early, the onset of the worst symptoms can be delayed, giving people a better quality of life.

The Alzheimer’s Society also found that 75 per cent of GPs wanted to know more about the management of behavioural symptoms of the disease. The survey of 382 GPs was commissioned ahead of Dementia Awareness Week which begins tomorrow.

Diane Abbott, Labour spokesperson on public health, said: “This is alarming, because we’ve got an ageing population with a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s than ever. If dementia is caught early people can still have a high quality of life. But, if most GPs don’t feel trained to deal with it, that’s very worrying news for Britain’s elderly and their families.”

Poor diagnosis rates can also be attributed to the embarrassment and fear that prevents some patients from coming forward. When asked what the barriers to identifying the disease were, 65 per cent of GPs said “many people with dementia do not present to general practice” and 66 per cent also cited the stigma attached to the disease as putting patients off visiting their doctor.

Allan Grogan, 70, from the Wirral, took his wife, Mavis, 67, to the doctor in 2006 when she first showed symptoms, but the GP dismissed her unusual behaviour as “no cause for concern”. A year later she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and now she is in full-time care in a nursing home.

“She was telling the same stories, and doing little things such as wearing her coat inside the house ,or putting the dishes and cutlery in funny places,” said Mr Grogan.

“We were worried about it and took her to the GP and he said there was no cause for concern. It was only when we went back a second time that it was taken seriously.”

Dr Alex Turnbull, a GP from Wigan, said: “Having a diagnosis of dementia as early as possible is really important, allowing people to plan for the future as well as to access support and potential treatments. But it is also vital that, as GPs, we get the support and information we need to help people to the best of our ability.”

An online learning tool to help GPs tackle the problem is being launched this week by the Alzheimer’s Society and the British Medical Association.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Currently, only 43 per cent of people with dementia get a formal diagnosis. This could be for several reasons, including stigma and lack of awareness in the general public, as well as people not visiting their doctor.

“We need to support GPs as much as possible as they have a vital role to play in diagnosing and supporting people with the condition.”

Case study: ‘It was frustrating: it was such a hard fight just to be diagnosed’

Heather Roberts, 57, from Derby, a former lecturer

“I was 50 when I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a good three years after I first told a GP my symptoms. My grandmother had dementia and I started recognising the same signs in myself. My brain was very, very sluggish. I was a college lecturer and have a degree in computing, but I suddenly found myself struggling to add two numbers together.

Everyone said I was too young. My first memory test showed I was functioning slightly above average, which they said was fine. A year later, I’d dropped to below average and it was dismissed as a bad day. On the third test, there was a huge drop and finally I was told, ‘Yes, you probably do have Alzheimer’s’. I was given treatment and my memory is significantly better now. It was frustrating that it was such a hard fight to be diagnosed. GPs aren’t trained enough in this and I don’t see it improving. My new GP is sceptical even though I have a written diagnosis.”

Article source: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/most-gps-cant-recognise-signs-of-alzheimers-7768841.html

A smog advisory has been issued for the city of Toronto and much of Ontario.

The advisory, issued at 5:30 p.m., recommends reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities should you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation

People with heart and lung conditions are considered high risk.

According to Environment Canada, air pollution levels can be high even in parks and rural areas.

Article source: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1181329--environment-canada-issues-smog-advisory-for-toronto?bn=1

But this batch of rookies is also entering the NFL during an unprecedented time of concern over concussions. Consider:

• The suicide deaths of former NFL players Andre Waters, Dave Duerson, Ray Easterling and Junior Seau are being attributed by many to head trauma and brain damage suffered during their years in the league.

• More than 1,000 former NFL players have sued the league, asserting it concealed information about the long-term effects of concussions.

• Many of those players, such as former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, have revealed frightening symptoms — such as memory loss and dementia — in well-publicized recent interviews.

The compilation of concussion evidence would hardly seem to serve as an encouraging welcome to the league for today’s rookies.

But perhaps because they are still so young, or perhaps because they’ve been so focused for so long on reaching the NFL, the rookies with the Titans don’t sound overly troubled about football’s concussion issue.

“I’m not going to say it worries me. This is a physical game, and it’s what we signed up to play,” said former Alabama center William Vlachos, an undrafted free agent. “Do I want to be 45 years old and have serious health issues? No, that’s nothing anybody would want, and I certainly wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But I’ve played this game my whole life. I think it’s what I’m meant to be doing. Whether I play 10 years in the NFL or get cut tomorrow, the game’s been great to me.”

Said cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, a fourth-round pick out of Clemson: “I wouldn’t say it’s worried me, because ever since I played football, I’ve been aware of concussions. Every place I’ve been, they’ve warned us about them. It’s just something that comes with the game. That’s the way it is.”

It’s been impossible to be a football fan and not be overwhelmed by all the attention being paid to the concussion problem in recent months and years.

In addition to the examples cited above, there was former Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams getting suspended indefinitely earlier this year by the NFL for his bounty program. Williams was taped telling his New Orleans Saints players to “kill the head, the body will die” prior to a playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Then there was former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner — who suffered concussions during his NFL career — saying he’d rather his sons not play football because of that very problem.

If there’s any kind of silver lining to all the concussion issues, it’s that the NFL appears to be scrutinizing the problem — and looking for possible solutions — more now than ever.

“I think the league is doing an unbelievable job trying to prevent concussions,” said Titans rookie safety Markelle Martin, a sixth-round pick out of Oklahoma State. “We understand that’s the part of game they’re focused on now. They just have to make strides in improving things, whether it’s equipment or the approach to the game.

“You just do what you can to prevent the injuries. But at the end of the day, accidents happen. You just have to keep rolling and keep going.”

Maybe so, but former Titans tackle Brad Hopkins said he thinks that despite what this year’s rookies might be saying, all the talk of concussions might soon start to affect the way players perform on the field.

“As we start to see more and more of today’s stars filter into regular society and deal with the issues of life after football, I think you’ll ultimately see players not taking as many chances and not playing as intense,” said Hopkins, now a radio host on 102.5-FM.

“That’s just because you understand that leading with your head could somehow get you into trouble, so you find another way to do it. It might not be as effective … but ultimately you’re talking about the effects of years of this kind of conversation. I think ultimately it will affect the quality of the game.”

Will that mean fewer of the highlight-reel type of hits the NFL has become famous for?

“Well, think about the fact that we heralded guys for throwing their bodies around and sacrificing and playing injured, and doing all these things,” Hopkins said. “Now … we can see more in-depth how these things affect players from a personal standpoint. So these young players are going to be like, ‘that could happen to me, whoa.’ So are you going to throw your body around like the guys of old? I doubt it.”

Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray said defensive players are already learning different techniques because of the league’s crackdown on violent hits that could cause concussions.

“The target’s going to have to change,” Gray said. “You can’t hit above the shoulders. … You’ve got to target the numbers. You can’t hit on the head. … We don’t want to change the game, but we don’t want to add to it with the Titans getting a bunch of fines and things like that.

“You’ve got to start from Day One and everything starts over. You’ve got to say, ‘Hey, look, we’re not doing that anymore. This is where our target is.’ Every day, you have to rep it because if you don’t, they’ll go back to what they’ve done.”

With offseason programs in progress around the NFL, rookies are starting to get a taste of the professional game’s rigors. A couple of undrafted free agents with other teams already have quit, citing concerns about concussions.

Sensabaugh said he’s never had a concussion. He doesn’t see himself changing his style of play anytime soon.

“For some people I guess it could change,” Sensabaugh said. “I really can’t speak for others. But for me, I just go out there every day and try to play as hard as I possibly can.”

Martin said he doesn’t even want to think about changing his game.

“Concussions happen. You never know what determines them or what happens, so you try not to really pay attention to it,” he said. “Especially being a safety like me and knowing responsibilities you have, that kind of stuff would just be in the back of your head forever. You don’t want that.”

Article source: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120520/SPORTS01/305200069/Titans-rookies-downplay-risk-of-concussions