What Is Sub-Concussive Impact? Does It Have Permanent Health Consequences?
Over the past few decades, scientists and medical professionals have come to a greater understanding of concussions and their effect on your brain. Fortunately, that knowledge has led to heightened awareness of the health risks associated with concussions, as well as the situations that often cause or contribute to concussion-related injuries.
Research in recent years suggests, though, that even relatively minor bumps or blows to the head can have lasting effects. These seemingly insignificant incidents, commonly referred to as “subconcussive events,” typically don’t produce any of the classic symptoms of a concussion. Studies show, though, that repeated subconcussive events may be tied to a condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. CTE has been in the news quite a bit in the last few years, particularly associated with professional athletes who play in contact sports, such as football and hockey. In fact, one study found that 67 of 69 former NFL players had some symptoms of CTE.
What Qualifies as a “Subconcussive” Impact?
Concussions are typically diagnosed by certain classic symptoms:
- Headaches or pressure that persist for more than a short period of time
- Persistent nausea or vomiting after a blow to the head
- Increased sensitivity to noise or light
- Balance problems
- Mental challenges, such as memory or concentration problems
- Sluggishness or grogginess
With a subconcussive hit or impact, the injury to your brain is so slight that you won’t typically see any physical manifestation of injury. But researchers say it’s like a repetitive stress injury—a single blow won’t produce any readily apparent damage, but the repeated injuries (or micro-traumas, as they are called) will have a cumulative effect on your brain.
What Are the Classic Symptoms of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy?
Like many brain conditions, CTE cannot be definitively diagnosed without an “autopsy” of your brain. However, the behaviors commonly associated with individuals who have received post-mortem diagnoses of CTE include:
- Anger, anxiety, depression, aggression and impulsive behavior in the early stages of the disease
- Memory and other cognitive deficits in later years, with progression into dementia
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who have suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.