Other editions of book Healing the Brain: Concussions and CTE

This book gives parents, teachers, and students an easy-to-read description of the brain, our most valuable resource, and the tremendous damage that can result from concussions and CTE. From high school to college to professional levels, football dominates American sports and exposes millions to head traumas on practically every play.It is a paradox of wide proportions. From opening day in September to the Super Bowl in February, the National Football League (NFL) dominates American sports and wins television ratings far beyond any other program--sports or otherwise.Increasingly, though, discussions of football (and other sports) include the medical terms concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a long-term degenerative and incurable brain disease. Although military personnel and others are vulnerable to the disease, the highest risk is among athletes involved in contact sports in which hits to the head are considered “part of the game.”Ten years ago, few would have predicted that the movie “Concussion” starring Will Smith would be made. Fewer would have predicted that brain injuries would one day dominate the sports headlines. When former NFL star Junior Seau committed suicide in May 2012, the media focused almost entirely on whether the thousands of head blows he endured during his 19-year career as a middle linebacker were a contributing factor. More than 3,000 former NFL players sued the league for allegedly misleading them about the risks of brain injury. The players and the league settled for more than $1 billion in damages. New policies and studies aimed at protecting the brains of athletes seem to be announced every week. But it’s not just professional athletes who are the focus of attention. No fewer than 40 states have passed laws requiring athletes in schools and recreational programs to schedule a doctor’s appointment when a concussion is suspected.A progressive, degenerative brain disease, CTE can present itself in athletes and others. Contents:DedicationIntroduction: When You Watch Your Next Football GameNurturing Strength and ConfidenceExploring the Brain in Words and PicturesUse It or Lose It: Maintaining Brain HealthThe Power of EmotionsWounds that Time Alone Won’t Heal: The Biology of StressSubstance Abuse: Saying No Is Very Hard to DoMore than Just the Blues: Depression Is a Real IllnessTeen Suicide: Death in Life’s SpringtimeConcussions and CTE: Healing a Broken BrainMinority Stress and LGBT/Q HealthThe Great Brain BooksAppendix I: A Glossary of Key Brain Science TermsAppendix II: Maps of the BrainAppendix III: Learn More About It: Resources on the Brain

Mothers across America are facing a difficult decision: whether to let their sons play football. Brain science has revealed an increasing correlation between head trauma, concussions and CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encepholopathy). Professional football players have (post-mortem) been diagnosed with CTE, a devastating, non-curable disease that causes severe headaches, memory-loss, depression, and sadly, suicide. Moreover, children--who play by the same rules as adults--incur the same repeated damage in brains that still developing. The country's most popular sport stands at an impending moment of decision for all coaches, parents, and children. The future of the sport will be decided in the coming years.