BOXERS SYNDROME: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

WHAT IS BOXING?

Boxing is a combat sport where two opponents, putting on padded gloves, fight one another by throwing punches in a boxing ring. These punches thrown may be directed to any part of the body, most especially the head. Any successful punch to the head has the capacity of knocking out an opponent, leading to what is called a KNOCKOUT in boxing.

BOXER'S SYNDROME

Right from the inception of boxing as a sport, the world has witnessed a good number of great boxers. During the 70's 80's and 90's, the world was opportuned to witness the greatness of Muhammed Ali, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Robinson etc. Contemporarily, the world is witnessing the greatness of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather etc. Over time boxing has proved to be a very lucrative career but it doesn't come without a disadvantage.

These disadvantages, has made a lot of boxers not to enjoy the dividends of their illustrious career when they call it quits.

One of the ills of boxing is the boxer's syndrome or punch drunk syndrome scientifically known as Dementia Pugilistica or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

WHAT IS CHRONIC TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY?

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a progressive brain condition that's caused mainly by repeated blows to the head and repeated episodes of concussion. It is present in about 20% of boxers over 50 years of age and more likely to develop in boxers with a long career, that has been knocked out on many occasions.

SYMPTOMS OF CTE

INITIALLY they tend to experience:

• Frequent mood changes

• Difficulty in thinking.

• Short term memory loss such as having difficulty remembering names and phone numbers.

OVERTIME they tend to experience,

• Significant memory problems

• Typical symptoms of Parkinson's disease. (Parkinsonism)

• Slurred speeches.

CAUSES OF CTE

It is caused by activities that involves repeated blows to the head leading to concussion.

DIAGNOSIS OF CTE

CTE can only be diagnosed after death. presently there's no way MRI, CT scan or other Brain Imaging methods can be used, although research is still ongoing.

PREVENTION OF CTE.

The only way to prevent CTE is to avoid repetitive head injuries by wearing protective gears during contact sport, getting advice if there's any return of previous head injury.

SOURCE

MUHAMMED ALI AND CTE

One of the greatest boxers of all time, Muhammed Ali suffered from CTE. He came out of retirement in 1980 to fight against Larry Holmes. In the fight, he barely lasted for 10 out of a possible 15 rounds absorbing punch after punch. It was this fight that Ali later pointed out as a possible source of his Parkinson's disease. He had his last fight against Trevor Berbick in 1981 but 3 years prior to that time, he was already slurring his words. Muhammed Ali was later diagnosed with Parkinson's 3 years after he retired from boxing.

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APRIL 16, 2022.