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Tag: brain damage

Published on Leave a comment on Rescue Boat Crews And Brain Injuries From Years of Crashing Through High Waves

Could it be that rescue boat crews (surf rescuers) can suffer with brain damage from constant or frequent exposure to very high waves? And that this is being ignored by the Coast Guard? The answer is YES - brain damage is occurring and it is not being acknowledged by the US Coast Guard.

The NY Times just published a very interesting article about this issue. Highly trained elite rescuers rescue people in the roughest seas - which involves driving lifeboats multiple times each day through crashing waves as high as 25 feet, which they describe as similar to "being in a car crash". The rescuers go through training and rescues for years. But now many are reporting neurological issues typical of brain injuries, including headaches, memory problems, cognitive problems, anxiety attacks, and mood swings.

But only from questioning by NY Times reporters has the Coast Guard finally admitted: "brain injuries caused by impacts with waves were an emerging concern". But so far the Coast Guard has not studied the "hazard that waves may pose to the brain and knows little about the force of the hits or the consequences of years of exposure".

Excerpts from NY Times: Rescue Boat Crews Show Signs of Brain Injuries, but Coast Guard Isn’t Looking

Brett Bonner saved hundreds of lives during 21 years on rescue boats in the Coast Guard. When he died, his teenage daughter Kayleigh wondered why he couldn’t save his own.

He was a big, gregarious man who seemed able to handle anything. But as Kayleigh grew up, she watched him slowly fall apart. First came headaches. Then sleeplessness. His memory frayed and his moods turned raw. ...continue reading "Rescue Boat Crews And Brain Injuries From Years of Crashing Through High Waves"

Published on Leave a comment on Subtle Brain Changes From Heading Soccer Balls
Soccer ball Credit: Wikipedia

Many studies have discussed the short-term and long-term harm to the brain from both concussions and sub-concussions in athletes playing tackle football. But relatively little has been said about the possibility of similar harm from soccer. A recent study found that heading a soccer ball results in subtle brain changes, even when there isn't a concussion.

The well-done study of 15 adult male soccer players looked whether there are brain changes after a routine "heading" task (heading the ball 20 times in 20 minutes) and after a routine "kicking" task (the tasks were routine soccer exercises). Blood samples and MRIs of the brain were taken after each task, as well as cognitive function assessments.

There were subtle brain changes seen in the MRIs, as well as inflammatory markers present in the blood after the soccer heading task, but not after the kicking task. As the researchers concluded: "non-concussive impacts, specifically those administered in the form of a controlled SHT, can alter select markers of brain function, chemistry and microstructure in male soccer players." Additionally, "heading decreased tissue conductivity in 11 areas of white matter of the brain".

The big question is what does heading of soccer balls, many times over a lifetime, do to the brain? Increased rates of dementia?

Bottom line: Heading soccer balls, even when done as part of soccer practice, causes subtle changes in certain areas of the brain. Be cautious!

From Medical Xpress: Heading soccer balls can cause changes in the brain even without concussion or symptoms

Heading a soccer ball alters the brain, new research spearheaded by the University of Sydney has found, despite having no immediate impact on cognition. ...continue reading "Subtle Brain Changes From Heading Soccer Balls"