Professional athletes are paid to win, to entertain, to train and, at times, to endure the brunt of much physical abuse because of their profession. However, several recent studies and news outlets have reported an increasingly disturbing number of athletes, both professional and non-professional, developing traumatic brain injuries (TBI) as related to concussions. These injuries may be going untreated and could leave an injured athlete with severe TBI side effects.

A study is being conducted by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at the Boston University's School of Medicine to determine long-term side effects of continued head trauma including concussions. According to articles from The New York Times, several National Football League (NFL) players have recently decided to leave their brains to the university for study of brain damage and the long-term effects of sports-related concussions. The article noted that the study has confirmed that at least five NFL players, who have recently died, have had damage to their brains that is usually only found in professional boxers.

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand is also attempting to reduce the likelihood of long-term TBI side effects for rugby players, which is an extremely popular pastime and has been deemed Australia's national sport. The association has even developed a continual research project on rugby players and their injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, known as the Rugby Injury and Performance Project (RIPP). The organization is trying to better treat concussions and side effects, because concussions in professional sports, are often overlooked and inadequately treated.

Recognizing Symptoms of Brain Injury

Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) urge family, friends and victims to watch for the following signs and symptoms of TBI after a head injury or trauma has occurred to the brain. The symptoms include:

* blood or clear fluid from nose or ears

* ringing in the ears

* loss of smell or taste

* convulsions or seizures

* sudden onset of fixed stares

* size of pupils become very different (larger or smaller)

* difficulty walking

* blurred vision, double vision

* vomiting or nausea within 1 to 2 hours after injury

* feelings of exhaustion, difficulty walking up

* continued headaches

* continued neck pain

* behavioral or personality changes

TBI Treaments

The Boston University study is also attempting to look at the long-term effects of leaving TBI untreated and the potential treatments for long-term TBI side effects. Studies have found that individuals suffering from hidden brain injury may show additional signs that can be easily overlooked including

* headaches

* loss of balance

* dizziness

* sleep disruptions

Unfortunately, there is currently a strong lack of scientific research regarding long-term effects for TBI untreated, researchers have found that the following can be derived as potential TBI side effects:

* depression, often sever

* suicidal thoughts, actions and tendencies

* cognitive disabilities

* mood disorders

Medical Organizations Assisting with TBI

As researchers continue to find better treatments and technologies for assisting brain-injured victims it will become increasingly important for individuals who participate in sports to be aware of potential signs of brain injury or concussion. Friends and family of athletes should also know the signs and symptoms of TBI and contact health professionals if TBI is suspect. The following are a list of medical organizations nationally recognized as providing assistance to TBI victims, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS):

* Brain Injury Association of America

* Family Caregiver Alliance/National Center on Caregiving

* National Stroke Association

* Acoustic Neuroma Association

* Brain Trauma Foundation

* National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)

It is also advisable that a TBI victim contact an experienced traumatic brain injury law firm to better understand the potential for developing a TBI lawsuit to increase the chances of receiving monetary compensation for the costly medical bills associated with traumatic brain injury treatments.