Introduction
Are you interested in learning about the connection between football and a rare and not well-studied chronic disease that can only be diagnosed after a person dies? It would be great if the former were a cure for the latter, but the situation is scary and somewhat hostile. According to recent research, more than 90% of former players of the National Football League (NFL) had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) (WBZ-News Staff, 2023). To compare, “a 2018 Boston University study of 164 brains of men and women donated to the Framingham Heart Study found that only 1 of 164 (0.6 percent) had CTE” (Boston University, 2023). After defining the disease and providing basic information, I will discuss its effects on healthcare and other stakeholders.
Description of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
When there is a lack of information about a severe medical condition, professionals have to do their best and use all methods possible to gather relevant data. To explore the chronic disease, scientists had to gain permission to conduct a study of the brains of deceased football players. Most common among different athletes, such as boxers and hockey and football players, this condition has vague and controversial symptoms. It is reported by Spiegel (2022) that a person with CTE may have frequent suicidal thoughts, depression, memory loss, and outbursts of aggression.
Noticeably, out of more than 300 NFL players who had passed away and were recently studied, many had died because of suicide, and some had been involved in violent behaviors before death (Spiegel, 2022). Repeated and symptomless blows to the head are found to be the primary cause of this degenerative brain disease, which has four stages of severity. However, according to Spiegel (2022), individuals with single cases of concussions should not be worried because this condition is quite rare.
Currently, no treatment can provide a diagnosed person with complete recovery. However, many resources and outstanding support are offered to those who notice the listed signs being present in them or their close ones. Thus, researchers from Boston University (2023) mention that concerned people are provided with a list of professional care providers, access to online support groups, and an opportunity to get one-on-one peer support. Although CTE cannot be treated, it is possible to address the symptoms and make a person’s life more accessible. Many cases of successful recovery from mental diseases associated with CTE are reported.
Impacts of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy on Soccer Players and Healthcare
Referring back to the NFL, it has to be noticed that all these former players who became brain donors for this research can be called heroes. Their relatives miss them but are proud and encouraged that these NFL players’ contributions will help thousands of others. “It pains me to know his life was cut short by the sport he loved most. As a brain donor, part of his legacy is in this research,” Rick Arrington’s daughter says (Boston University, 2023, para. 9).
In other words, the results not only allow to confirm the gaps in the knowledge to address them soon. They also contribute to developing treatment and diagnosing options and supporting people who might suffer from the disease they are unaware of. What is more, according to the WBZ-News Staff (2023), there is another positive effect on the football industry and other sports areas. After learning about the statistics and findings, safety guidelines and concussion protocols will be carefully reviewed and updated to prevent the development of CTE in current and future athletes.
Conclusion
To conclude, these results are frightening but, at the same time, give hope and motivation. Soon, they will help advance the understanding of the disease’s causes and enhance the NFL’s concussion protocol to make current players safer. More people will receive an opportunity to be diagnosed and treated, and they must also find moral support from others. Therefore, everyone should be proud of the former NFL players who became brain donors, their families who support and encourage these studies, and the scientists and researchers involved.
References
Boston University. (2023). Researchers find CTE in 345 of 376 former NFL players studied. Web.
Spiegel, B. (2022). What to know about C.T.E. in football. The New York Times. Web.
WBZ-News Staff. (2023). CTE found in nearly 92% of former NFL players studied by Boston University. CBS News Boston. Web.