The Long-Term Effects of Sports-Related Head Trauma

 At least 300,000 sports-related head injuries occur in the United States every year. The short-term effects of sports head injuries have long been known. Concussions, as the result of a blow to the head can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea in the short term. More recently it has been discovered that head injuries can cause problems long after the initial incident.

Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)

Around 15% of people who have suffered a single concussion develop persistent, injury-related symptoms. These can last anywhere from a couple of weeks, to a few months, up to a year. While the immediate symptoms of concussion are fairly mild, PCS can manifest itself in the form of noise sensitivity, concentration and memory problems, depression, and anxiety. It is thought that this condition can be exacerbated by pre-existing psychological conditions, being female, and being an older individual. While PCS cannot be treated as a whole, medications can be administered to alleviate certain symptoms, while psychotherapy and neurotherapy can be carried out to improve mental health and brainwave activity.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Another, more extreme consequence of repeat head injuries is CTE. This syndrome only manifests itself around 8 to 10 years after injury, and is most prevalent in professional athletes in sports such as football, boxing, wrestling, and ice hockey.

Symptoms develop in four stages- the first stage is characterized by a deterioration in attention, increased disorientation, headaches and dizziness. Later this condition develops to cause memory loss, social instability, erratic behaviour, and poor judgement. In the final two stages, patients may suffer from progressive dementia, reduction in muscle activity and control, vertigo, deafness, and, in extreme cases, suicidal tendencies.

The reasons behind why this happens are largely unknown and currently the only method of diagnosis is through post-mortem direct tissue examination. Treatments may include the use of speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists, however, as there is currently no cure, most treatment revolves around supporting the patient, and making him or her comfortable.

There is presently little conclusive research on the prevention of CTE, however, it is thought that immobilizing the head during a blow may prevent the future memory loss and learning difficulties associated with CTE. Of course, the best preventative action is to reduce the risk of head injuries, and to allow time to fully recover following any concussion which, for 85% of cases is up to three weeks.