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No matter what sport they play, there is always a chance of getting hurt. Some injuries might force a player to take a break from the game for a while, while others could even kill the player.
Today, we are going to talk about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is one of the most prevalent illnesses suffered by football players. So, what is CTE in football?
What is CTE in football? What causes and symptoms are associated with CTE?
CTE refers to one brain disease. It is the result of repeated injuries to the head, which may consist of concussions
Players who participate in contact sports such as ice hockey and football often get injuries of this kind. In the 1920s, medical professionals found it in an elderly boxer and gave it a different name at the time. The cumulative damage that develops over time as a result of this trauma is what causes it.
There is presently no treatment that will entirely reverse CTE; however, there are things that can be done to lower one’s risk of developing the condition. As a result, it is imperative that you, as a football player, take the necessary procedures to ensure your safety.
What Are the Symptoms of CTE?
The following are common signs of CTE:
- Aggression
- Bad judgment
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Dementia
- Depression
- Erratic or impulsive behavior
These disorders generally manifest years, or even decades, after a person has retired from the sport or had their most recent head trauma. Sometimes, it might exhibit symptoms that are comparable to those seen in a patient with Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease, which can make diagnosis challenging.
Therefore, you need to inform your doctor about any head injury you have had, regardless of when the symptoms first appeared or how long ago the accident occurred.
It is not necessary to have all or even a few of the symptoms of CTE in order to be diagnosed with the condition. There are many different probable causes for these kinds of symptoms. Therefore, if you are experiencing problems, we suggest having a conversation with your primary care physician or a specialist.
Who Are at Risk?
CTE was first identified in prizefighters during the 1920s and was referred to as “dementia pugilistica” at the time. This ailment has recently grown increasingly prevalent among athletes who competed in other sports, most notably alums of the football and hockey industries.
It is not difficult to locate articles on former National Football League players, such as player Junior Seau, who were diagnosed with this illness after their deaths and were found to have died from it.
CTE is diagnosable by medical professionals; however, these diagnoses cannot be verified without first performing an autopsy on the affected individual’s brain.
Researchers have identified the condition in athletes who had only competed at the college or high school level, in some cases, decades before those athletes passed away.
Athletes who play contact sports or who have played them in the past are at the greatest risk of developing CTE. In addition to that, those who have served in the military and have had a head injury are also at risk for developing this condition.
Children who participate in such activities may also be at an increased risk of sustaining catastrophic brain injuries, which is a danger that is even larger than that faced by professional players. Therefore, as a parent, you need to keep a close eye on your children whenever they participate in football or any other kind of activity that involves physical contact.
It’s possible that youth athletes suffer about the same number of strikes to the head as college players. Meanwhile, compared to adult brains, the brains of youngsters have a little less insulation, which makes brain cells far more vulnerable to the shock caused by concussions. Because of this, several different soccer leagues have banned players from “heading” the ball.
How Can You Prevent CTE When Playing Football?
There is currently no cure or treatment available for CTE. Therefore, the best course of action is to take preventative measures to stop it from occurring.
Athletes and children who participate in contact sports like boxing, hockey, or football should take a number of preventative measures in order to lower their risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
- Ensuring correct use of all equipment
- Utilizing the correct equipment
- Avoid utilizing unneeded aggression during a game
- Learn and utilize the right technique for the sport
- Inspect the playing surface for holes and uneven places, and report them to your coach.
In this profession, coaches also have responsibilities. They should limit the duration and frequency of contact practices. Currently, certain states have legislation regarding this.
FAQS
What Does CTE Stand For in Football?
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, often known as CTE, is a degenerative disease of the brain that is believed to be brought on by repetitive blows to the head as well as recurrent bouts of concussion. It is most often seen in athletes that participate in contact sports, such as boxing and American football. The majority of the studies that have been conducted were conducted on formerly active athletes.
What Are the Differences between Alzheimer’s disease and CTE?
There are a number of parallels between Alzheimer’s disease and CTE, but there are also substantial distinctions. CTE manifests itself often sooner (after the age of forty) than AD (sixty years of age or older).
The first and most evident symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are memory deficits, but the earliest indications of chronic traumatic encephalopathy are often difficulties with thinking, judgment, problem-solving, anger, and impulse control.
Which sport has the highest CTE?
The vast majority of athletes who have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy have participated in contact sports such as boxing, American football, wrestling, ice hockey, mixed martial arts, rugby, or soccer. Other risk factors include having a history of domestic abuse, serving in the military, and repeatedly hitting one’s skull against anything.
Can CTE Be Cured?
Sadly, there is presently no treatment available to reverse the effects of this condition. On the other hand, several symptoms of CTE, like anxiety and sadness, are treatable on an individual basis.
What does having CTE feel like?
Memory loss, confusion, poor judgment, difficulties with impulse control, anger, sadness, anxiety, suicidality, Parkinsonism, and finally progressive dementia are some of the symptoms associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Typically, the onset of these symptoms occurs years or even decades after the previous head trauma or the cessation of vigorous sports participation.
Is CTE reversible?
It cannot be reversed, nor can it be cured. According to Mez, there will be no possible treatments for CTE until the disease can be recognized in persons who are still alive. On the other hand, there are treatments available for a few of the symptoms. For instance, behavioral therapy may be helpful in treating fluctuations in one’s mood.
Final Thoughts
What is CTE in football? CTE is the abbreviation for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is a degenerative disease of the brain that may be caused by sustaining several concussions or repetitive hits to the head.
Athletes that participate in contact sports, such as football, boxing, or hockey, are more likely to get this kind of injury. Studies that are now accessible often focus on former athletes as their subjects.
