Over the years, sports has been a hugely popular topic. While it was always a popular way to pass the time whether you were playing or watching, it seems to be more popular in recent years.
There has also been an increase in head injuries related to sports. Knowing the types of head injuries is essential so that you can know what to do if someone causes severe head trauma to your child and if you need to explore potential legal options with an Indianapolis brain injury lawyer.
Traumatic Cerebrovascular Disease
Many conditions that can cause bleeding in the brain are known as cerebrovascular diseases. These diseases include stroke, stenosis and malformations as well as aneurysms.
After trauma to the head, a cerebral aneurysm may occur. Aneurysms are caused by the brain’s blood vessels becoming weaker. The wall of the blood vessel can balloon or bulge as a result. These are most common where the blood vessel branches (also known as a fork) and where the vessel is weaker.
Acute Subdural Hematoma
Acute Subdural Heartburns (ASDHs) are injuries that occur during contact sports. This is when an athlete hits the occipital area when being thrown to the floor.
These injuries are almost all related to football. As they begin to separate, a blood clot is formed between the dura mater and the brain.
Dura mater, the hard outer covering of the brain, is called the dura mater. The brain’s veins are prone to stretching and breaking down. The veins can burst after a brain injury that shakes or jolts it. Traumatic acute subdural hemorrhage (SDH) is a type of fatal head injury that occurs when the brain suffers from a concussion.
Concussion
Concussions can be a form of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Concussions can be caused by a blow to the head, a jolt or bump on the skull, or when the body hits. The brain will move inside the skull if the body is struck. This motion can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull. This motion causes chemical changes to the brain.
It can also cause brain damage. Concussions can be mild, meaning they don’t pose a threat to your life. Mild concussions can still be serious and should be treated immediately. A concussion can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, balance problems, and other symptoms.
The Brain Injury Association of America reports the top five activities that produce concussions in children and adolescents aged 5-18 years of age are:
- Cycling
- Football
- Basketball
- Playground activities
- Soccer
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a form of degeneration that occurs when someone experiences repeated trauma to their head. This rare condition can usually be diagnosed by an autopsy.
CTE is caused by brain damage. It is unknown how many brain injuries and how severe they are. CTE symptoms often mimic those of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. These symptoms include confusion, loss of memory, personality changes, attention problems and balance problems as well as behavior that appears erratic.
Traumatic brain injury
TBI is a disruption in the brain’s normal function. When the brain is violently shaken by trauma, this is called a traumatic brain injury. A head injury can occur when an object hits the skull or pierces the skull.
These injuries can be serious, moderate, or mild. In severe cases, unconsciousness, death or coma can occur. You may experience loss of consciousness or memory loss related to the accident.
A weakness in the muscles, speech changes, or decreased vision could all be signs of a condition. One could experience mental changes such as slow thinking, difficulty concentrating, and disorientation.
To many, head injuries are seen as an acceptable risk in sports and other types of recreational activities. But they’re hazardous. They can result in mental impairment, permanent disability, and even death.