Cause And Effects Of Concussions Essay
Concussions or traumatic brain injuries are a major issue because they impair brain function and the results can be permanent, impacting the day-to-day functioning of players and their loved ones for the rest of their lives. They are caused by blows to the head and depending on the area(s) of the brain injured and the severity of the trauma, some of the effects include problems with concentration, thinking, memory, vision, balance and coordination (dizziness). Because of the decrease in cerebral blood flow, they also cause sleep disturbances, reduced attention span, headaches, frustration, mood swings and personality changes. Many studies affirm that concussions increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anterograde amnesia, dementia, ALS and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) (Ciccarelli 282-283). The three types of concussions include mild, moderate, and severe and can last anywhere between a few minutes to hours. Because the loss of consciousness is less common and the results are mostly internal, some football players do not even realize they have a concussion. However, every concussion injures players’ brains to some
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extent and requires time and rest to heal properly. Not only do these outcomes negatively impact intelligence but may also affect thinking, problem solving, and cognition in general. The problem with this is that long-term effects may not be evident until many years later, which is also the case of sub concussions.
Sub concussions, which disrupt the way different areas of the brain communicate with each other, are the cause of repeated less traumatic blows to the head.
They happen more frequently than concussions, are less visible, and harder to detect. However, in the long run they may have the same consequences of actual concussions and resemble the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury patients. According to USA today, “researchers at the Cleveland Clinic studied college football players, and found that athletes can experience significant brain damage solely due to continuous head collisions, even when concussion does not occur” (Stone). Even though sub concussions seem minor and unimportant, these can be dangerous to the player’s health and should be taken as seriously as concussions. One of the most severe consequences includes
CTE.
Repeated traumatic brain injuries lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disorder that causes depression, congestive heart failure, anxiety, disinhibited speech and mental deterioration (Iverson). The traces of CTE found in Mike Webster’s abnormal brain were the first evidence of a link between football and permanent brain damage (League of Denial: Inside the NFL’s Concussion Crisis). The number of football players with CTE keeps increasing and it is becoming very common in retired players. Cognitive impairment could range from mild to dementia. Behavioral changes that are seen in many retired players include violent outbursts, paranoia, memory loss, and mood swings. One example includes linebacker Junior Seau, who committed suicide on May 2, 2012. After his retirement, some of the “surprising behavioral changes [he suffered] included withdrawal, alcohol consumption, reckless business and financial decisions, and gambling. He was also arrested for domestic violence against his girlfriend (Tej). Seau’s case links the role of repetitive brain impacts as a potential risk factor for CTE, which can be highly dangerous and can lead to death. Not only does the head trauma lead to aggressive behavior, but also irrational thinking that cause reckless actions.
One possible solution to the medical problems mentioned above is having brain specialists scan the players’ brains before, during, and after every game. New technology, such as PET scans, now allows scanning the brain of live players for any abnormalities and possible traces of CTE. Brain imaging is a safe measure that the NFL can take in order to reduce the number of players whose unnoticed concussions trigger the development of CTE. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “because little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by trauma, medical personnel try to stabilize an individual with TBI and focus on preventing further injury.” Many players don’t report any symptoms of concussions because they want career stability, but the effects of concussions are irreversible and should be prevented. Playing after getting concussed worsens the consequences and accelerates the process of mental deterioration.
extent and requires time and rest to heal properly. Not only do these outcomes negatively impact intelligence but may also affect thinking, problem solving, and cognition in general. The problem with this is that long-term effects may not be evident until many years later, which is also the case of sub concussions.
Sub concussions, which disrupt the way different areas of the brain communicate with each other, are the cause of repeated less traumatic blows to the head.
They happen more frequently than concussions, are less visible, and harder to detect. However, in the long run they may have the same consequences of actual concussions and resemble the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury patients. According to USA today, “researchers at the Cleveland Clinic studied college football players, and found that athletes can experience significant brain damage solely due to continuous head collisions, even when concussion does not occur” (Stone). Even though sub concussions seem minor and unimportant, these can be dangerous to the player’s health and should be taken as seriously as concussions. One of the most severe consequences includes
CTE.
Repeated traumatic brain injuries lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disorder that causes depression, congestive heart failure, anxiety, disinhibited speech and mental deterioration (Iverson). The traces of CTE found in Mike Webster’s abnormal brain were the first evidence of a link between football and permanent brain damage (League of Denial: Inside the NFL’s Concussion Crisis). The number of football players with CTE keeps increasing and it is becoming very common in retired players. Cognitive impairment could range from mild to dementia. Behavioral changes that are seen in many retired players include violent outbursts, paranoia, memory loss, and mood swings. One example includes linebacker Junior Seau, who committed suicide on May 2, 2012. After his retirement, some of the “surprising behavioral changes [he suffered] included withdrawal, alcohol consumption, reckless business and financial decisions, and gambling. He was also arrested for domestic violence against his girlfriend (Tej). Seau’s case links the role of repetitive brain impacts as a potential risk factor for CTE, which can be highly dangerous and can lead to death. Not only does the head trauma lead to aggressive behavior, but also irrational thinking that cause reckless actions.
One possible solution to the medical problems mentioned above is having brain specialists scan the players’ brains before, during, and after every game. New technology, such as PET scans, now allows scanning the brain of live players for any abnormalities and possible traces of CTE. Brain imaging is a safe measure that the NFL can take in order to reduce the number of players whose unnoticed concussions trigger the development of CTE. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “because little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by trauma, medical personnel try to stabilize an individual with TBI and focus on preventing further injury.” Many players don’t report any symptoms of concussions because they want career stability, but the effects of concussions are irreversible and should be prevented. Playing after getting concussed worsens the consequences and accelerates the process of mental deterioration.