The dangers of professional football is a hot topic. Studies have found high rates of concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and a serious brain disorder called
chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
in former players. These injuries can have terribly debilitating effects.
How bad is football for your body?
Football players are also subject to hundreds of small, subconcussive injuries per season; hits to the head that shake up the brain, but don't rise to the level of a full-blown concussion. But the short term consequences—confusion, headache, fatigue, memory loss—aren't what's most concerning to the football world.
What is the brain damage from football called?
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
is the term used to describe brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head traumas. CTE is a diagnosis made only at autopsy by studying sections of the brain. CTE is a rare disorder that is not yet well understood.
What a lifetime of playing football can do to the human brain?
Brain chemistry gets out of
whack
. Concussions make people “see stars,” become disoriented, lose consciousness, become sensitive to light and sound, get headaches, and have sluggish or confused thoughts for weeks and even months. Heads and bodies get smashed and shuddered every week during the football season.
Can playing football lead to brain damage?
Some players may also suffer from permanent brain damage like
CTE
. Big hits in football aren't the only causes of brain disorders later in life. Repeated blows to the head — and subconcussive impacts that do not lead to a clinical diagnosis of a concussion — can also damage the brain.
What are brain damage symptoms?
- Loss of consciousness from several minutes to hours.
- Persistent headache or headache that worsens.
- Repeated vomiting or nausea.
- Convulsions or seizures.
- Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes.
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears.
- Inability to awaken from sleep.
What causes brain injuries in football?
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
is a progressive brain condition that's thought to be caused by repeated blows to the head and repeated episodes of concussion. It's particularly associated with contact sports, such as boxing or American football.
Who gets hit the most in football?
Which positions get hit the hardest? A study from Brown University found that in the NFL,
running backs
are hit the hardest. This makes sense — after all, running backs are running full steam ahead at defensive linemen and linebackers nearly directly in front of them.
What's the easiest position in football?
The easiest position on offense may be
the receiver
. He has limited responsibility and most plays may have nothing to do with him at all.
Is football getting safer?
High school football is under attack. According to The National Federation of State High School Associations, participation in high school football has decreased by three percent last year, and ten percent since its peak in 2008.
What is the life expectancy of someone with CTE?
Some researchers believe the severity of the disease might correlate with the length of time a person spend participating in the sport. Unfortunately, a 2009 analysis of 51 people who experience CTE found the average lifespan of those with the disease is just
51 years
.
Can a brain injury get worse over time?
The short answer is
yes
. Some brain injuries do get worse over time. Secondary brain injuries are complications that arise after the initial injury, such as hematomas or infections. Sometimes these injuries cut off blood circulation to certain portions of the brain, killing neurons.
Will CTE ever be cured?
Treatment.
There is no cure or treatment for CTE
, but certain medicines may be used to temporarily treat the cognitive (memory and thinking) and behavioral symptoms. Consult your doctor before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication.
What does CTE do to the brain?
The brain degeneration is associated with common symptoms of CTE including
memory loss
, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, suicidality, parkinsonism, and eventually progressive dementia.
How do scientists know that many football players experience severe brain damage?
a brain injury caused by a serious blow to the head that can cause dizziness, forgetfulness, and unconsciousness 2 The only way to diagnose
CTE
is with an autopsy. In affected brains, a protein called tau goes “bad.” It inappropriately forms clumps in nerves and other brain cells.
How many American football players are there?
American football, referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada and also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of
eleven players
on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end.
