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While watching boxing matches, each of us surely had doubts many times whether sport is really good for health? After all, such a large number of blows must have some consequences, worse than ordinary bruises – it’s true. Blows to the head are the cause of what modern medicine calls boxing dementia, the main symptom of which is a reduction in IQ.
What is traumatic dementia?
Post-traumatic dementia is also known as “boxing dementia” because it occurs as a result of the high number of punches a boxer receives in the ring. It occurs not only from boxing fights, but also from other head injuries. Even a head injury, which seems to be harmless at first glance, can lead to disturbances in cognitive processes responsible for communication, memory and thinking. In addition, a head injury can lead to emotional disturbances and strange behavior, so all of these symptoms constitute posttraumatic dementia. The course of this ailment depends on the area of the brain that has suffered damage.
Traumatic dementia – causes
A blow to the head is believed to be the main cause of posttraumatic dementia, followed by trauma to the tissues of the brain, blood vessels and nerves. Sometimes the impact is applied with a force that causes the skull structures to open, which in turn completely disrupts the functioning of the brain. After some injuries, the body returns to its original fitness by itself, but it is not fully possible, for example due to the appearance of a hematoma or infection as a result of a brain injury.
The most common causes of head injuries:
- road accidents,
- beating,
- gunshots,
- fall,
- doing sports (especially boxing),
- cycling (especially in children),
- balance disorders in the elderly.
Symptoms of post-traumatic dementia
Can a single head injury cause such damage to our brain? Unfortunately yes. If it is very strong, it can lead to the so-called traumatic dementia. The most common symptoms of the disease are dementia and parkinsonism, that is:
- tremors (most often of the hands) that occurs when you are at rest (and not when you are doing something),
- slowing down of movements (bradykinesia)
- decreased activity,
- impoverishment or complete disappearance of facial expressions,
- speech that resembles monotonous gibberish,
- problems with maintaining a proper body posture,
- muscle stiffness (called spasticity),
- trouble concentrating,
- irritability,
- insomnia,
- aggression,
- apathy,
- tiredness,
- mood swings.
The symptoms of parkinsonism can appear many years after the injury.
Usually, long-term memory impairment also occurs in post-traumatic dementia. Depending on the area of the brain that has been damaged as a result of the trauma, additional disease symptoms may be added to these symptoms.
How do we diagnose post-traumatic dementia?
The diagnosis of post-traumatic dementia is mainly based on a medical interview, during which the doctor asks the patient about as many details as possible related to the accident. It is important to determine the circumstances of the incident, the patient’s condition and, most importantly, the symptoms. Supportive tests used in the diagnosis of post-traumatic dementia include:
- computed tomography,
- magnetic resonance imaging,
- neurological examination,
- electroencephalography (study of the bioelectrical activity of the brain).
In addition, consultations with doctors of other specialties, such as a neurologist, radiologist, internist, psychiatrist or psychologist, are of great importance.
Traumatic dementia – treatment
Treatment of posttraumatic dementia depends on what area the injury is and where it is located. In addition, the general condition of the patient should be determined. In post-traumatic dementia, neurosurgery or surgery is often required, and sometimes simple patient observation is sufficient. In some patients, medications are administered to improve the functioning of the brain and to alleviate or eliminate troublesome physical symptoms.
Can posttraumatic dementia cause complications?
Unfortunately, post-traumatic dementia can lead to serious complications, including:
- bow,
- anxiety,
- depression,
- epileptic states,
- thoughts of suicide,
- psychotic behavior,
- mania,
- obsessive-compulsive behavior.