this was an athlete's brain with cte
CTE: How Big A Risk Is It, And Who Cares?
Actually, quite a few people care:
• NFL players;
• Retired players whose friends died in slow and painful ways;
• Boxers;
• Ice hockey players (especially the fighters!);
• Jockeys.
A documentary film was made about CTE in the NFL: League of Denial.
Thanks to the educational efforts of people like Dr. Omalu, parents of kids playing football, rugby, lacrosse, soccer are worried too.
Who else should be worried?
• Boxers.
• Military veterans.
• First responders.
• Domestic Violence Targets.
• Kids getting violently bullied.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, has taken many lives
and will continue to do so until we decide to stop it.
But are athletes and their families, teams and their fans,
and the NFL leadership ready to do what it takes?
Learn more about CTE HERE.
CTE Can Only Be Diagnosed With an Autopsy
Right now there is no way to determine whether someone has CTE while they are still alive.
(Find this graphic and more info HERE.)
CTE cannot be confirmed until the autopsy.
But there are symptoms, and we are learning more about what causes it. You don't need a major concussion to be at risk for CTE. A few "minor injuries" to the brain when you are young could start the CTE ball rolling.
Steve Kallas discuss CTE on "Speaking of Sports" with host Janelle Allbritton, MPH, on WVOX below.