How many concussions cause CTE in NFL players?

As Demaryius Thomas added his name to a growing list of former NFL players who have suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (or CTE), discussions regarding the neurological condition are becoming more common in football.

The most recent ex-NFL player to obtain a CTE diagnosis was Demaryius Thomas, who was discovered dead at home in December. CTE diagnoses are only possible after a person has passed away.

When Demaryius Thomas passed away, his family disclosed that he suffered from stage 2 CTE, which accounted for his increased mental instability, loss of memory, and anxiety in his final few months.

The warning for football players has never been higher due to CTE being discovered in an increasing number of athletes.

Multiple concussions pose significant risks. According to research, multiple head trauma patients are more likely to experience long-term problems such as balance issues, fuzzy thinking, difficulty focusing, difficulty with concentration, amnesia, and vision problems. Furthermore, numerous head injuries have been linked to behavioral disorders such as depression and sadness.

Concussions and repeated head knocks, including less severe concussions, can permanently alter the structure of the brain. A single concussion rarely causes long-term impairment, but multiple concussions can lead to the end of one's career or even death.

The maximum number of concussions a person can sustain before developing CTE is unknown. After all, while some athletes don't appear to be affected after multiple concussions, others may still exhibit symptoms for years after just one concussion.

What exactly is CTE?

Repetitive head trauma is a well-known risk factor for CTE. Since there is no bleeding, these wounds are not visible from the outside. Concussions and head blows are the most severe injuries resulting in CTE. CTE cannot be cured and does not have a particular treatment.

For athletes who frequently spar in the tackle box, such as linemen in football, minor and frequent hits referred to as "sub-concussive" blows can cause CTE and brain damage.

A concussion is a minor hit to the head or body that causes mild traumatic brain damage. Although football and ice hockey players are more likely than other athletes to sustain concussions, concussions can occur in any physical sport.

In general, the more concussions a player sustains, the more likely they are to sustain fatal injuries.