With the NFL playoffs in full swing, injuries on the field are getting a great deal of attention. But what happens to those banged up players years later?
New research suggests that some NFL players may be at increased risk for depression.
Researchers recruited 34 retired NFL athletes with a history of concussion and 29 people from the general population with no history of the traumatic brain injury. All were examined to assess their thinking skills, mood and to look for physical signs of depression.
The results: the NFL players had more symptoms of depression related to all 3 factors and the number of concussions suffered was directly related to the severity. Researchers say this suggests that athletes who suffer concussions during their playing days may be at a higher risk for developing the illness.
Depression is a common affliction, with up to 1 in 10 Americans having some form of depression each year. If you are concerned about your or a loved one's mental health, let your doctor know. Help is available.
I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news to help keep your family healthy.
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