Suffering from concussions might seem like no big deal once you are healed. This is especially true if the concussion is fairly minor and doesn’t have a barrage of symptoms associated with it. Recently, a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy has shown that multiple concussions, no matter how minor, can have long-lasting effects.
What exactly is CTE?
This is a medical condition caused by the cumulative changes in the brain that occur because of repetitive concussions. One of the changes that can occur is the accumulation of tau protein in the brain. This protein kills brain cells slowly, which leads to the symptoms associated with CTE.
What are the symptoms of CTE?
Memory loss, inability to control impulsive behavior, confusion, paranoia, aggression and dementia are some of the symptoms of a CTE. These symptoms usually get progressively worse as the CTE worsens.
How is CTE diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed only through brain tissue analysis after the person dies. There is currently no definitive method to diagnose the condition while the patient is still living. Many professional athletes and military veterans have donated their brains to science in an effort to allow more research to be done on this condition.
This condition shows that even the mildest concussions can lead to issues if you suffer from them repetitively. If you have suffered from brain injuries, you should seek medical care. If the brain injury was the result of negligence by another person or party, you might decide to seek compensation for the damages associated with the injury. In order to do so, you should learn about how the law applies to your case.
Source: Concussion Legacy Foundation, “What is CTE?,” accessed March 18, 2016
