Do you often hit your head? Let's talk about CTE! (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy)

Are you a sports fan? Maybe you play a sport like rugby or boxing. Or maybe you've been falling and banging your head all the time since you were a kid. While a few hits to the head are fine, repeated impacts over many years are not good. Today we're going to talk about a serious, permanent brain injury that can result from long-term head injuries. It's called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE for short.

Simply put, what is CTE?

CTE is a condition that affects our brain. It is caused by repeated blows or injuries to the head over a long period of time. When this happens, the nerve cells in our brain, the tiny cells that control our thoughts, memories, and movements, begin to die or become permanently damaged. This is called neurodegeneration in medical science.

Think of your brain as a complex circuit made up of millions of tiny wires (nerve cells) that work together. With CTE, these wires gradually burn out. As this damage builds up over time, it can cause major changes in your behavior, thinking, and mood.

What are the possible symptoms of CTE?

The symptoms of CTE can be very similar to those of other brain-damaging diseases. It mainly affects three areas of our lives: our thinking, our mental state, and our physical movements. Let's take a look at these details to understand this more clearly.

Sometimes these changes can be hard to understand for yourself. Your family and friends may say, "You're not the same person you used to be" or "Your behavior has changed." Don't get angry at that time. Remember, they are saying this out of love and concern for you.

Why does CTE develop? Who is at higher risk?

As we discussed earlier, the main cause of CTE is repeated head trauma. Researchers are still trying to figure out why some people develop it and others don't. But one thing is clear: almost everyone with CTE has a history of head trauma over many years.

Researchers believe that this is due to abnormal aggregation of a type of protein called tau proteins in our brains. Simply put, these tau proteins are like a framework that gives our nerve cells shape and helps keep them stable. But when we take repeated blows to the head, this framework breaks down and the tau proteins clump together, damaging and killing the nerve cells.

Who is most at risk?

• For those who play certain sports: Especially those who play sports like rugby, American football, boxing, and mixed martial arts (MMA).
• For those in military service: Due to the possibility of head injuries during training or on the battlefield.

How do you know for sure if you have CTE?

This is the most complicated part of the disease. There is currently no way to tell with 100% certainty that someone has CTE while they are alive. The only way to confirm CTE is to examine a tissue sample taken from the brain after someone dies under a microscope. This is called an `autopsy` .

The doctor gathers several facts to come to this conclusion:

• You will be given a physical exam.
• A special examination related to the nervous system is performed (Neurological exam).
• We will listen carefully to your symptoms and changes in your behavior.
• They will ask about your medical history, especially if you have had any head injuries.

Not everyone with these symptoms has CTE, as there are many other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Your doctor may want to run some tests to rule out those conditions.

• Blood tests
• CT scan
• MRI scan
• PET scan
• Lumbar puncture

Is there treatment? What can be done?

There is no cure or treatment that can reverse the damage to the brain caused by CTE. However, there are many things you can do to manage your symptoms and make your life easier. Your doctor may recommend treatments such as:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: Helps manage things like stress and anxiety.
• Occupational therapy: Provides tools and assistance to make everyday tasks easier.
• Physical therapy: Helps with problems related to balance and movement of the body.
• Speech therapy: Helps with speaking or swallowing difficulties.

Research into CTE is still ongoing, so ask your doctor about clinical trials for new treatments.

When should I see a doctor?

If you think you have a head injury, definitely see a doctor. Don't ignore it, especially if this is not your first injury. Tell the doctor how many times you have had a head injury.

It may be helpful to ask your doctor questions like these:

• How likely is it that I have CTE?
• Is it safe for me to continue playing sports or engaging in physical activity?
• What kind of therapy will I need in the future?
• What symptoms or changes should I be especially aware of?

What to expect when living with CTE?

CTE is a lifelong, permanent condition. It is also a progressive disease. This means that symptoms can gradually get worse over time. But these changes happen very slowly, perhaps over years or decades.

CTE is not directly life-threatening. However, as the disease progresses, complications can occur, such as difficulty performing daily activities. In the final stages of the disease, assistance may be needed to eat, bathe, and dress independently.

It's normal to feel scared and confused when you learn about this disease. But you're not alone. Doctors and mental health professionals can help you and your family cope with this condition.

CTE, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, head injury, brain damage, neurological diseases, memory loss, behavioral changes, rugby, boxing, sports injuries