Professional athletes are paid to win, to entertain, to train and, at times, to last the brunt of much physical abuse because of their profession. However, several recent studies and news outlets have reported an increasingly disturbing number of athletes, both professional and non-professional, developing traumatic brain injuries TBI as related to concussions. These injuries might be going untreated and could leave an hurt athlete with severe TBI side effects.
A study is being conducted by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at the Boston Universitys School of Medicine to determine long-term side effects of continued head trauma including concussions. According to articles from The New York Times, several National Football League NFL players have recently decided to leave their brains to the university for study of brain damage and the long-term effects of sports-related concussions. The article noted that the study has confirmed that at least five NFL players, who have recently died, have had damage to their brains that is usually only found in professional boxers.
The Accident Compensation Corporation ACC in New Zealand is also attempting to reduce the likelihood of long-term TBI side effects for rugby players, which is an extremely popular pastime and has been deemed Australias national sport. The association has even developed a continual research project on rugby players and their injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, known as the Rugby Injury and Performance Project RIPP. The organization is trying to superior treat concussions and side effects, because concussions in professional sports, are often overlooked and inadequately treated.
Recognizing Symptoms of Brain Injury
Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC and the National Association of Say Head Injury Administrators NASHIA urge family, friends and victims to watch for the following signs and symptoms of TBI after a head injury or trauma has occurred to the brain. The symptoms include:
blood or clear fluid from nose or ears
ringing in the ears
loss of smell or taste
convulsions or seizures
sudden onset of fixed stares
size of pupils become very different larger or smaller
difficulty walking
blurred vision, double vision
vomiting or nausea within 1 to 2 hours after injury
feelings of exhaustion, difficulty walking up
continued headaches
continued neck pain
behavioral or personality changes
TBI Treaments
The Boston University study is also attempting to look at the long-term effects of leaving TBI untreated and the potential treatments for long-term TBI side effects. Studies have found that individuals suffering from hidden brain injury might show additional signs that can be easily overlooked including
headaches
loss of balance
dizziness
sleep disruptions
Unfortunately, there is currently a strong lack of scientific research regarding long-term effects for TBI untreated, researchers have found that the following can be derived as potential TBI side effects:
depression, often sever
suicidal thoughts, actions and tendencies
cognitive disabilities
mood disorders
Medical Organizations Assisting with TBI
As researchers continue to find better treatments and technologies for assisting brain-injured victims it will become increasingly important for individuals who participate in sports to be aware of potential signs of brain injury or concussion. Friends and family of athletes should also know the signs and symptoms of TBI and contact health professionals if TBI is suspect. The following are a list of medical organizations nationally recognized as providing assistance to TBI victims, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke NINDS:
Brain Injury Association of America
Family Caregiver Alliance/National Center on Caregiving
National Stroke Association
Acoustic Neuroma Association
Brain Trauma Foundation
National Rehabilitation Information Center NARIC
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research NIDRR
It is also advisable that a TBI victim contact an experienced traumatic brain injury law firm to superior understand the potential for developing a TBI lawsuit to increase the chances of receiving monetary compensation for the expensive medical bills associated with traumatic brain injury treatments.
About the Author
Visit http://tbi-brain-injury-law.com or http://www.LegalView.com to learn more about brain injury. Additionally, LegalView offers readers the latest information on pharmaceutical controversies including information on obtaining an Avandia lawyer or the latest on developing a Ketek lawsuit.
Article Source: Content for Reprint
[Source : Full text health articles - Content for Reprint]
Please take the time to visit original contents source to find out more about topic you are interested.
