How To Prevent CTE And Concussions

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerating disease of the brain most common with military veterans, athletes, and individuals who experience frequent brain traumas. Tau proteins tend to form clumps in CTE, which slowly spreads all over one's brain thus killing healthy brain cells. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy can occur in young individuals as young as seventeen years old, though symptoms do not appear immediately until years after the occurrence of head collisions. In 1928, Dr. Harrison Martland described CTE as 'punch drunk syndrome,' which was mostly experienced by boxers.

On the other hand, concussions, which are also termed as mild traumatic brain injuries, are vicious shocks resulting from heavy blows on one's head, which ephemerally affects the functioning of the brain.

Learn how to prevent chronic traumatic encephalopathy and concussions now.

Recognize The Signs

Knowledge of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and concussions is essential in helping you avoid head injuries. Most young individuals might suffer from concussions and CTE due to minor bicycle accidents. It is essential for us to equip ourselves with the skills to recognize the signs of a concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy as well as ways of preventing these conditions for this reason. The symptoms depicted by most concussion patients are a loss of memory, head pain, blurred vision, and dizziness. Advanced cases of concussions result in CTE, which causes gradual brain deterioration over the years. It also creates the swelling and the enlargement of the other segments of the brain due to the spreading of tau protein clumps all over the mind.

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Seek Medical Assistance

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy patients show a range of signs and symptoms such as loss of memory and behavioral control, impaired motor and balance skills, depression, impaired judgments, and aggression. A CTE patient is also mostly like to suffer from cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia. The early signs and symptoms appear in a patient's late twenties and thirties. The symptoms depicted at this stage cause tremendous change in the patient's behavioral control problems, paranoia, depression, and aggressiveness.

Seek medical assistance as soon as possible if you have any of the warning signs. Progression of the disease makes the patient experience memory and thinking problems such as confusion and progressive dementia. These cognitive symptoms appear later than the behavioral and mood symptoms. Research shows the cognitive symptoms show their first appearance during the patient's forties and fifties.

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Closely Monitor The Person After A Head Injury

Athletes are not the only ones who at risk of concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Young children can suffer from either condition as well. In fact, everyone is at risk of suffering from concussions and CTE. For this reason, everyone needs to be equipped with ways of preventing these condition. First and foremost, the best preventive measure is creating public awareness through education. Be sure to monitor someone closely after a head injury as well to be on top of the situation.

The world at large should be educated about chronic traumatic encephalopathy and concussions. There are so many individuals out there who have no idea what these two conditions are. You should, therefore, carry the burden of educating as many people as you can. Let them know what CTE and concussions are, how they can be contracted, their signs and symptoms, and most importantly equip them with possible prevention measures.

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Wear Protective Gear

Wearing the right equipment at all times even during practice is very important, as no one can tell when danger will befall them. Therefore, wearing the proper equipment keeps you protected from concussions in case you accidentally hit your head against something or someone.

This equipment may include wearing helmets, which protect you from traumatizing head injuries and damage such as skull fractures. Always wear protective gear even when riding your bicycle. In case you hit your head while wearing a helmet, carefully monitor yourself to check for any signs and symptoms of concussions.

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Play Non-Contact Sports Or Activities

Individuals should play non-contact sports or activities to avoid instances of head collisions. If contact games cannot be avoided, consider the incorporation of neck strengthening physical activity into training, learning proper techniques to prevent frequent head impacts, and discourage aggressiveness while in practice and during games.

These prevention measures will significantly save you from suffering from concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Also, in case a head injury occurs, have close monitoring done on you and further seek medical assistance to avoid future complications. Besides, the playfields should be carefully examined for the detection of different spots to prevent the occurrence of future injuries.