Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE, has been in the spotlight in recent years because of stories involving NFL players, pro wrestlers, and other athletes. But CTE isn’t limited to professional sports. It can affect anyone who’s experienced repeated blows to the head over a long period of time.
The damage builds up slowly, and many people who end up diagnosed don’t even realize anything is wrong for years. Victims are often left wondering, “What is CTE?” and “How did this happen to me?”
The Science Behind CTE
CTE is linked to repeated head trauma. They don’t always have to be major injuries, either. In fact, most victims never had a single concussion that knocked them out. Instead, it’s the constant hits that wear down the brain over time.
Inside the brain, this trauma causes an abnormal buildup of a protein called tau. When tau clumps together, it causes damage to brain cells. Over time, it can spread and affect different areas of the brain, particularly those tied to emotions, memory, and judgment.
One of the toughest things about CTE is that it can’t be truly diagnosed in a living person. The only way to confirm it is to look at the brain tissue after death. This leaves families with more questions than answers when they see someone they love change so drastically.
Common CTE Symptoms
CTE tends to show up years (even decades) after the constant blows to the head. That long gap can make it hard to connect the dots. Additionally, the symptoms vary from person to person.
Early signs often include:
- Mood swings
- Impulsive behaviors
- Memory problems
- Inability to focus
- Trouble making decisions
- Depression
- Irritability
- Just feeling “off” without knowing why
As the condition progresses, the symptoms get worse. Cognitive decline becomes more severe, leading to disorientation and confusion. Some patients might even develop dementia. People can become paranoid or face drastic personality changes. Relationships suffer. Careers fall apart. Life becomes harder to manage from day to day.
It’s easy to pass these signs off as normal side effects of aging. However, they can point to serious, irreversible brain damage.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Athletes in contact sports are at high risk, especially if they started young or played for many years. Boxing, wrestling, hockey, and football all carry a high chance of repeated head trauma. Military veterans, victims of domestic abuse, and people in labor-intensive jobs can also experience CTE. Even in youth sports, repeated head contact can set the stage for long-term brain problems.
How CTE Changes Lives
CTE doesn’t just affect the person who has it. It touches the lives of everyone around them. Families feel helpless as they watch a loved one change. Financial strain becomes a real issue if the person can no longer work. And because CTE can only be confirmed after death, the process of getting answers is long and painful.
In St. Louis, more families are starting to ask questions. If someone they care about played sports, served in the military, or worked a high-risk job and is now struggling emotionally or mentally, they want to know why. The pieces don’t always come together right away, but CTE is a growing part of that conversation.
The Long Shadow of CTE
CTE disrupts lives quietly, then all at once. For years, it was misunderstood or ignored. That’s changing now, but progress is slow as medical science works to catch up. There’s still a lot we don’t know, but for the families that deal with it, getting what facts we do have is one small step toward making sense of something that should never have happened.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers Today
While these laws may seem strange, they reflect Missouri’s historical efforts to maintain public order and safety. It’s important to be aware of such laws, even if they’re rarely enforced, to avoid potential legal issues.
For more information, contact the best personal injury lawyer in St. Louis, MO at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers. We proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County, and we have offices in St. Louis, Chesterfield, Clayton, and Creve Coeur.
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