Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Concussions are brain injuries \hat occur when a person receives a blow to the head, face, or neck. Although most people who suffer a concussion experience initial bouts of dizziness, nausea, and drowsiness, these symptoms often disappear after a few days. The long-term effects of concussions, however, are less understood and far more severe. Recent studies suggest that people who suffer multiple concussions are at a significant risk for developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disorder that causes a variety of dangerous mental and emotional problems to arise weeks, months,or even years after the initial injury. These psychological problems can include depression, anxiety, memory loss, inability to concentrate, and aggression. In extreme cases, people suffering from CTE have even committed suicide or homicide. The majority of people who develop these issues are athletes who participate ∈ popular high-impact sports, especially football. Although both new sports regulations and improvements ∈ helmet technology can help protect players, the sports media and fans alike bear some of the responsibility for reducing the incidence of these devastating injuries.
Perhaps the most important factor ∈ reducing the number of traumatic brain injuries, however, lies not with the players, coaches, or the administrators, but with the media and fans. Sports media producers have become used to showcasing the most aggressive tackles and the most intense plays. BFL broadcasts often replay especially violent collisions, while the commentators marvel at the physical prowess of the players involved. Some sports programs even feature weekly countdowns of the hardest hits. When the media exalts such hazardous behavior,professionals are rewarded for injuring each other on the field,and amateurs become more likely to try to imitate their favorite NFL athletes. Announcers, commentators, television producers, and sportswriters should engage ∈a collective effort to cease glorifying brutal plays. In turn,fans should stop expecting their favorite players to put their lives on the line for the purposes of entertainment. Players must stop being encouraged to trade their careers, health, happiness, and their lives for the sake of a game.
Source: Copyright Read Theory LLC
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