The NFL has been rocked by concerns over player safety for years. This is particularly evident regarding player concussions. One name that has become synonymous with this issue is Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins quarterback whose multiple concussions have sparked intense debate about the long-term effects of brain injuries in football.
Last night’s game against the Buffalo Bills resulted in another scary hit sustained by the Miami Dolphin’s quarterback. This injury reinvigorated the intense debate of whether he should continue playing or consider leaving football in favor of preserving his long-term health.
These conversations are very concerning for anyone who has sustained a head injury in an auto accident as to whether they will suffer long term health consequences. Many people worry about the effects that sustaining a concussion in a car accident will have on them long after the case is over.
When the topic of head injuries and the long term consequences become a discussion on a national scale when a NFL player sustains a serious injury, it brings similar concerns to those who have also sustained a head injury in an accident.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, a Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI can be caused by:
- A bump or blow to the head
- A hit to the body that causes the head and the to move quickly back and forth
- A penetrating injury to the head
A common misconception is that you have to actually physically hit your head in a car accident. In fact, just the violent back-and-forth jolt of your head after an impact can cause a concussion. The common symptoms of a concussion are:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Balance issues
- Lack of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Disorientation
- Mental confusion
- Memory loss
- Balance issues
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Sleepiness
- Irritability
- Mild depression
- Sensitivity to light
- Excessive fatigue
The Silent Assault: How Concussions Affect Your Brain
Unlike the visible injuries from a car crash, concussions wage a silent war on your brain. When a person sustain a head injury, or concussion, the brain essentially “sloshes around inside your skull”, causing microscopic damage to delicate neural pathways.
Dr. Ann McKee, a leading neuropathologist, explains: "A concussion sets off a cascade of events at the cellular level. It's like a boulder dropping into a still pond – the ripples spread far beyond the initial impact."
These "ripples" can disrupt:
- Neurotransmitter balance
- Blood flow to critical brain regions
- The brain's energy metabolism
According to the Centers for Disease Control some mild concussion symptoms may appear immediately, while others may take days or weeks after an accident to appear. Typically, in a mild concussion, the symptoms tend to gradually improve over time, Most people who sustain a mild concussion or mild TBI begin to feel better within a couple of weeks.
The Lingering Shadow: Long-Term Effects of Concussions
While a car accident's effects are often immediately apparent, concussion damage can lurk beneath the surface for years. For athletes like Tua, the risks are particularly concerning:
- Cognitive Impairment: Studies show that repeated concussions can lead to difficulties with attention, problem-solving, and decision-making – crucial skills both on and off the field.
- Chronic Headaches: Many concussion sufferers report persistent headaches that can last for months or even years post-injury.
- Memory Loss: Short-term memory issues are common, but severe cases can affect long-term memory formation as well.
- Mood Disorders: Depression, anxiety, and irritability are frequently reported, potentially due to disrupted brain chemistry.
Concussions vs. Car Accidents: The Statistics
While both concussions and car accidents can have devastating consequences, let's break down the numbers:
- Concussions in the NFL: Approximately 224 concussions were reported during the 2019 NFL season.
- Car Accidents: In 2019, there were an estimated 6.76 million police-reported crashes in the United States.
At first glance, car accidents seem more prevalent. However, consider this:
- There are only about 1,700 active NFL players.
- There are over 228 million licensed drivers in the US.
This means the per capita risk of concussion for an NFL player is significantly higher than the average person's risk of a car accident.
Medical Experts Weigh In
Dr. Robert Cantu, a neurosurgery professor at Boston University School of Medicine, warns: "The cumulative effect of “subconcussive” hits, even without diagnosed concussions, can be just as damaging over time. It's like erosion – each small impact slowly wears away at brain health."
A Call for Awareness and Action
For players like Tua Tagovailoa, advanced concussion protocols and rest periods are crucial. For the rest of us, taking precautions also can make all the difference.
Remember:
- Always wear proper safety equipment in sports
- Never "play through" a suspected concussion
- Practice safe driving habits
- Always wear your seatbelt
- Always seek immediate medical attention after an accident if you suspect you may have sustained a head injury
Watching a beloved football player suffer such a scary injury is upsetting and concerning. We sinceely hope that Mr. Tagovailoa t opens a necessary discussion about the long-term effects of a head injury and what can be done to avoid them. By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps, we can all work towards better brain health.