The Hidden Dangers in Sports: A Physician's Perspective on Trauma and Responsibility; an Opinion.
As a physician, my duty extends beyond treating ailments; it encompasses counseling patients on lifestyle choices that impact their well-being. Among the myriad of activities that pose potential risks, sports like football, soccer, hockey, downhill skiing, boxing, and motorcycle riding are particularly concerning due to the substantial trauma they can inflict, especially on the human brain.
The human head is not designed to withstand repeated impacts, unlike the head of a woodpecker, which has evolved to absorb the shock of constant pecking.
One recent development emphasizing the dangers of sports-related trauma is the article on CNN discussing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in teenage football players. The piece, published on November 20, 2023, underscores the alarming presence of CTE, a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head injuries, in adolescents engaged in contact sports. This revelation raises serious concerns about the long-term consequences of exposing young minds to activities that involve repeated head impacts.
People interested in CTE can watch the movie Concussion with Will Smith in main role, a real life story about a pathologist who discovered the condition.
In conclusion, the dangers associated with certain sports, particularly in the context of brain trauma, cannot be ignored. As a society, we must reevaluate our priorities, urging schools to take an active role in safeguarding the health of their students. Legal consequences for institutions that knowingly jeopardize the well-being of young athletes could be a crucial step towards ensuring a safer, healthier future for the generations to come.
A few pearls of wisdom from the “magnetic” Dr. Mirman
MAGNETIC BRACELETS FOR INSOMNIA: We mentioned the benefits of magnetic bracelets in last newsletter. I use one because it helps me sleep better. I've heard a similar report from another patient.
OTHER BENEFITS OF MAGNETS THIS TIME FROM MRI: MRIs involve placing the body in a very strong magnetic field. A patient who suffers with arthritis and back pains reported an interesting effect of magnetism on her health this month. She had an MRI of her back done for diagnostic purposes and her pains improved significantly following the test. NOTE: MRI scans are not used for therapeutic purposes; this patient simply had some welcome positive “side effects” from a necessary test.
When she had an additional MRI done for diagnostics on a different part of the body, she experienced a similar improvement of arthritis and back pain. The patient is convinced that the magnetic field is good for her health.
THE USE OF STRONG SINGULAR MAGNETS: We also used magnets on the patient’s knees which worked well.
MAGNETIC PADS: She also bought a magnetic pad to lay on and this month she excitedly demonstrated to me how her pains are essentially gone and her movement is much improved with the use of the pad. NOTE: This would not be recommended if one has a pacemaker, but I see no other counterindications.
Valerian is a low-cost herbal option for insomnia
VALERIAN FROM WHOLE FOODS: For people suffering with insomnia, a preparation of valerian with hops is often effective. One version can be obtained from Whole Foods.
VALERIAN FROM THE RUSSIAN MARKET: There is also a Russian preparation with the same components, usually available from a Russian grocery Paradise Market. The advantage of this preparation is that the pills are much smaller and it is less expensive. Make sure to ask for "evening valerian" in green pills (as opposed to similar yellow ones, used for control of anxiety in daytime, without hops). The Russian name on the bottle is "вечерняя валерьянка"