Concussions: One-time injury with long-term consequences

Dr. Aria Sabit received his degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and finished his residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey. He specializes in minimally invasive spine procedures.

When the topic of concussions comes up, one thinks immediately of football. It’s understood that the NFL has acquired one of the highest numbers of head injuries in professional sports history. Consequently, neurosurgeons have found that more and more NFL players fall victim to memory loss, sudden personality swings, and inexplicable inability to concentrate. All three symptoms can be attributed to the effects of receiving repeated blows to the head.

Aria Sabit Image Credit: newyorker.com

Repeated concussions– mild trauma to the brain– can also result in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This interferes and inhibits comprehension and the ability to perform near-instinctive processes like learning, planning, and organizing. Progressive degenerative diseases like CTE can lead to a number of other complications and disorders if head trauma continues. Patients in professional football, hockey, wrestling, and other contact sports fields have been known to develop dementia, aggression, confusion, and depression over time.

Aria Sabit Image Credit: angeranddepressionhelp.com

Even retired NFL players are not out of danger. A study discussed on TIME asserts that having a career in professional football leaves a person more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment – which can lead to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease– than men of the same age and health conditions who did engage in the sport.

Aria Sabit Image Credit: theglobeandmail.com

Unfortunately for pro athletes, medical technology is not currently able to detect the propensity for developing cognitive degeneration as a result of head trauma. This should serve as a warning to retirees, coaches, and professionals supporting football to find better ways to protect players from brain damage.

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