The brain can be a traumatic injury if severely hit and can alter cognitive abilities that individuals rely on every day. From personal experience, the situation can be not only scary but life altering and can take years of recovery. Cognitive abilities can include but is not limited to, memory, decision making, communication, attention, and concentration. The simple fact is if you hit your head hard enough, your ability to utilize your brain and function normally can be severely altered. Yet there are also risks that people don't consider after going through a head injury. Evidence has begun showing that dramatic head injuries can lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and mood disorders. "Although TBI occurs in all demographic groups, particular risk factors for TBI include age (i.e., very young or aging individuals), being male, lower, being from a minority racial/ethnic group, history of alcohol or other substance abuse, and history of TBI. Additionally, military service members are at particular risk for TBI, with prevalence rates estimated to be between 10% and 20% of those currently serving in the military" (Vincent, Roebuck-Spencer, & Cernich, 2014, Para 5).
One of the most important factors to developing neurodegenerative diseases is the severity of the head injury. Basically the measure of severity is based off the of amounted time of unconsciousness, depth of coma, or duration of confusion after injury. Glasgow Coma Scores are usually used in order to define the severity. The scale ranges from numbers below eight ( indicates severe injury) to the number thirteen. The number thirteen or below is required for the injury to be labeled as a moderate injury. One prospective study found a two- to fourfold increase in dementia of veterans that served in the second world war. Another study correlated that individuals that currently have dementia showed a history of moderate to severe head injuries earlier in life. This specific study concluded that at least one dramatic head injury in the range of moderate to severe can increase the risk of dementia (Vincent et al., 2014).
Demographics can be important when deciphering if you or someone you know is at risk. Amongst high schools, colleges, and professional leagues, the possibility of chronic brain syndrome plagues the sport players and their families. Vincent et al. (2014) states, "CTE is regarded as a chronic neurodegenerative condition that occurs in midlife, years or decades after a sports career has ended, and is clinically associated with many behavioral changes, including irritability, impulsivity, aggression, depression, cognitive changes (e.g., memory and executive functioning), and heightened suicidality" (Para 19). Retired athletes, especially the ones exposed to multiple head injuries, can be exposed to neurodegenerative diseases early on and demonstrates the reason behind the presence of cognitive dysfunctions.
Overall, it is very important to be aware of the symptoms and consequences of head trauma, detection of severity can help predict the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Sports players, veterans, and individuals active in the military are at the most risk due to repeated exposure to head trauma. Risk factors are also associated with substance abuse and gender, in which males are at higher risk (Vincent et al., 2014).
References;
Vincent, S. A, Roebuck-Spencer M. T, & Cernich, A. (2014). Cognitive changes and dementia risk
after traumatic brain injury: Implications for aging military personnel. ScienceDirect, 10(3),
174-187.
One of the most important factors to developing neurodegenerative diseases is the severity of the head injury. Basically the measure of severity is based off the of amounted time of unconsciousness, depth of coma, or duration of confusion after injury. Glasgow Coma Scores are usually used in order to define the severity. The scale ranges from numbers below eight ( indicates severe injury) to the number thirteen. The number thirteen or below is required for the injury to be labeled as a moderate injury. One prospective study found a two- to fourfold increase in dementia of veterans that served in the second world war. Another study correlated that individuals that currently have dementia showed a history of moderate to severe head injuries earlier in life. This specific study concluded that at least one dramatic head injury in the range of moderate to severe can increase the risk of dementia (Vincent et al., 2014).
Demographics can be important when deciphering if you or someone you know is at risk. Amongst high schools, colleges, and professional leagues, the possibility of chronic brain syndrome plagues the sport players and their families. Vincent et al. (2014) states, "CTE is regarded as a chronic neurodegenerative condition that occurs in midlife, years or decades after a sports career has ended, and is clinically associated with many behavioral changes, including irritability, impulsivity, aggression, depression, cognitive changes (e.g., memory and executive functioning), and heightened suicidality" (Para 19). Retired athletes, especially the ones exposed to multiple head injuries, can be exposed to neurodegenerative diseases early on and demonstrates the reason behind the presence of cognitive dysfunctions.
Overall, it is very important to be aware of the symptoms and consequences of head trauma, detection of severity can help predict the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Sports players, veterans, and individuals active in the military are at the most risk due to repeated exposure to head trauma. Risk factors are also associated with substance abuse and gender, in which males are at higher risk (Vincent et al., 2014).
References;
Vincent, S. A, Roebuck-Spencer M. T, & Cernich, A. (2014). Cognitive changes and dementia risk
after traumatic brain injury: Implications for aging military personnel. ScienceDirect, 10(3),
174-187.
Comments
Post a Comment