New Research Shows how Football and Brain Injury Are Linked

Football is a popular activity in Virginia. While the dangers of the contact sport are well-known, increased research regarding the true long-term potential of head injury and its accompanying problems are ongoing to determine how they happen, ways to treat them, and steps to take in preventing them. For those who are playing football or played at some point, knowing the connection between the sport and traumatic brain injury is imperative to understanding how their participation might have led to symptoms and aftereffects of traumatic brain injury.

Research into the connection between degenerative brain disease and football has discovered that there is a definitive link between the two. This study, conducted by Boston University, indicates that the amount of time a person plays the game raised the danger of suffering long-term injury to the brain. While studies into possible connections between football and injuries to the brain have been ongoing for an extended period, this new information is helping researchers find ways to diagnose potential warning signs early and treat those who might be suffering side effects from that damage.

Football has been shown to cause brain inflammation due to hits to the head. This can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, alternatively known as CTE. Players from the college and professional ranks had their brains studied. Also, for comparative purposes, 16 people who did not play sports were examined. Based on statistics, brain inflammation was related to CTE. The amount of time these football players took part in the sport also led to increased jeopardy of long-term damage.

Those who have taken part in football might have had some concept of the risk they were taking by playing such a rough sport. However, the new evidence is showing how truly dangerous the sport can be for people of any age. If there are symptoms of brain injury for someone who played football, it is important to understand the potential costs. There could be the need for treatment, medication and long-term care for someone who has had a traumatic brain injury. The new research might be able to help in presenting evidence in a legal filing. A qualified legal professional can help in moving forward with a case.