CTE can also be a sneaky condition, taking years and sometimes even decades for severe symptoms to manifest.
Around 17% of people who have experienced repeated concussions or mildtraumatic brain injurygo on to develop CTE.
When left undiagnosed and untreated, symptoms worsen over time.
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Exhibiting the above symptoms isnt a sure sign that you have the condition.
In some fatal cases of CTE, people with the disorder showed no symptoms while alive.
Diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
Diagnosing CTE is challenging.
Currently, theres no specific test to diagnose CTE conclusively when a person is alive.
People often assume that the head trauma must have been so severe a person collapses or loses consciousness.
However, CTE is triggered by the effect of repeatedphysical traumato the head in varying degrees over time.
The buildup of a protein called tau has also been linked to the development of CTE.
Tau protein is also present in the brains of people with other neurological conditions likeAlzheimers disease.
The critical component for CTE to occur is time.
A single blow to the head one time is unlikely to cause CTE.
These sports and jobs expose you to a risk of experiencing recurring head injuries.
Therapy can help manage symptoms to a degree.
For instance, a person experiencing difficulty with speech will benefit from speech therapy.
Behavioral therapycan help regulate mood swings.
Your healthcare provider may also administer medication to manage mood and behavioral changes and aid memory loss.
Researchers and scientists are working on some promising treatment options for CTE.
Medication to reduce inflammation also shows much promise for treating the condition.
With specific jobs and sports, experiencing occasional head injuries can be challenging.
Taking extra measures to protect yourself in those scenarios is crucial.
Some steps you’ve got the option to take include:
Self-care is crucial after a head injury.
Create ahealthy daily routinethat incorporates regular exercise and adequate rest.
Also, maintain a healthy and balanced diet to avoid nutritional deficits.
A Word From Verywell
CTE is a progressive and degenerative brain condition that can be fatal.
More research needs to be done to help understand the condition and effectively treat it.
The good news is that CTE is preventable.
CTE is a lifetime condition that requires ongoing management; preventing it is critical.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Inserra CJ, DeVrieze BW.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.In: StatPearls.
StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Memory and Aging Center, The Regents of the University of California.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Breen PW, Krishnan V.Recent preclinical insights into the treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.Front Neurosci.
