Lou Gehrig's Death: Result of Lou Gehrig's Disease or Repeated Concussions?

Did Lou Gehrig really die of Lou Gehrig's disease?  Recent research on traumatic brain injuries implicitly indicates that the famous baseball player could have suffered from another form of brain trauma caused by repeated concussions, according to the LA Times.  In the study, School of Medicine researchers at Boston University found that the symptoms often caused by repeated concussions can mimic Gehrig's namesake disease, formally called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  Baseball's "Iron Horse" frequently played while injured, even after suffering from concussions, and the study suggests that Gehrig's symptoms could have resulted from repeated brain trauma rather than ALS.  Symptoms that result from both types of brain injuries include muscle weakness, spastic movements, and the loss of muscle control over time, according to the LA Times.  The Times also explains that a "growing body of research" is adding weight to the argument that concussions may act as catalysts for a range of diseases of the brain, including dementia, Parkinson's disease, depression and, now, ALS.

How does this research affect you?  If you or a family member has suffered from concussion more than once (or even just once), you should be even more motivated to seek medical care.  While concussions are often considered mild injuries, they are, in fact, traumatic brain injuries, and they can have long-term consequences.  If you would like free information on Virginia traumatic brain injury or brain injury cases in Norfolk, Eastern Shore, Newport News, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, or another part of the state, contact Lawrence Land online or toll-free at 800-800-1911.  Land will answer your questions for free and provide you with the resources you need to move forward.