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ALS and contact sports
Another former NFL player was recently diagnosed with ALS. https://www.ocregister.com/2019/11/11/eris-stevens-vs-als-our-battle-right-now-is-fighting-for-my-life/
There have also been numerous articles suggesting that people who have played in contact sports or sports that frequently result in concussions or traumatic brain injuries are not being accurately diagnosed. It may not be ALS, but the damage to the brain and spinal cord could cause ALS like symptoms. We know that genetic mutations contribute to about 10% of ALS cases; but the cause of the remaining 90% of cases is unknown.
What have you read about athletes and ALS? What are your thoughts? Did you play sports or have any brain or spinal cord injuries?
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2 Replies
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I did not play sports but in June 2017 I fell down stairs going into my basement and hit the left front of my head just around my hairline, on the door. Within 24 hrs my speech was slurred. Over the next four weeks it improved and then came back and worsened. An MRI showed nothing. By November 2017 I was diagnosed with ALS. All doctors I dealt with who heard my story made no connection to the fall and ALS but I can’t help believe the fall damaged something and brought it on.
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Myself I’ve had no traumatic brain injuries and am diagnosed with ALS. My father had a knock out cold head impact not too long before he started symptoms of FTD which progressed until he died. My brother died of MSA and did have an accident with bad concussion when he was younger. Sure could be coincidence.
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