{"id":17887,"date":"2021-10-13T07:52:54","date_gmt":"2021-10-13T07:52:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=17887"},"modified":"2021-10-13T07:55:16","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T07:55:16","slug":"risks-of-repeated-head-injuries-in-athletes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/neuro-optometry\/vision-and-brain-injuries\/risks-of-repeated-head-injuries-in-athletes\/","title":{"rendered":"Risks of Repeated Head Injuries in Athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Head injuries can increase an athlete’s risk of life-long complications.\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Concussions<\/a> and other types of brain injuries that result from a sudden jolt or blow to the head can cause headaches, imbalance, concentration difficulties, and even anger management problems.<\/p>\n

According to <\/b>National Academies Press<\/i><\/b> (2014), sustaining as little as two concussions in one\u2019s lifetime can lead to serious and life-long complications<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, contact sports are infamous for head injuries\u2014 but the health repercussions of multiple impacts can be life-altering and cause any of the following life-long conditions:<\/p>\n

1. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)<\/b><\/h2>\n

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated brain traumas. This condition occurs when specific proteins in the brain, called tau proteins, develop clumps. These clumps disperse throughout the brain and lead to permanent brain cell damage.<\/p>\n

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy has been shown to cause progressive memory and cognition loss, poor impulse control, aggression, depression, suicidal behavior, Dementia and Parkinson\u2019s.<\/b><\/p>\n

Neurosurgery (<\/i>August, 2013)<\/i> published two different case reports involving two National Football League (NFL) players that had been playing football since high school. The reports stated that these players are now suffering from a variety of neuropsychological diseases, following multiple head injuries.<\/p>\n

According to Clinics in Sports Medicine <\/i>(2011), CTE is caused by multiple head injuries over a period of years\u2014 even if the injury did not result in a clinical concussion.<\/p>\n

2. Depression<\/b><\/h2>\n

Clinical depression is a mental disorder that impacts your thoughts, emotions and behaviors.<\/p>\n

Depression can significantly impact academic success and work performance, and seriously affect familial relationships and social interactions. Changes in appetite, sleep disruptions, loss of interest in previously loved activities and thoughts of suicide are all possible symptoms.<\/p>\n

According to<\/b> Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (<\/i><\/b>2007) there is a clear correlation between head injuries and long-term depression.<\/b><\/p>\n

Retired athletes who had three or more concussions were three times more likely to experience depression, when compared to those who had never had a concussion. Athletes who had one or two concussions were 1.5 times more likely to experience depression.<\/p>\n

If you, or a loved one, has suffered a head injury see a neuro-optometrist<\/a> for a complete examination of your visual system.<\/b><\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: <\/b>Eye Movement Problems After a Brain Injury\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t

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