THE DR. VIBE SHOW – YOU ME AND CTE – KAREN AND DOUG ZEGEL – STOP CTE – JUNE 25 – 2018

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease found in people who have had multiple head injuries. Symptoms may include behavioral problems, mood problems, and problems with thinking. This typically does not begin until years after the injuries. It often gets worse over time and can result in dementia. It is unclear if the risk of suicide is altered.

Most documented cases have occurred in athletes involved in contact sports such as American football, wrestling, boxing, ice hockey, rugby and soccer. Other risk factors include being in the military, prior domestic violence, and repeated banging of the head.The exact amount of trauma required for the condition to occur is unknown. Definitive diagnosis can only occur at autopsy. It is a form of tauopathy.

As of 2018, there is no specific treatment. Rates of disease have been found to be about 30% among those with a history of multiple head injuries. Population rates, however, are unclear. Research into brain damage as a result of repeated head injuries began in the 1920s, at which time the condition was known as dementia pugilistica or “punch drunk syndrome”. Changing the rules in some sports has been discussed as a means of prevention.

Over the next few Mondays live at 9 p.m. Eastern at , The Dr. Vibe Show™ and The Good Men Project will hosting You, me & CTE. You, me & CTE is a series of conversations on and about Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Karen and Doug Zegel, are the mother and step-father of Patrick Risha, an All-Conference running back in high school and at Dartmouth College. Patrick suffered from CTE, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, before he took his own life at the age of 32. They founded the Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation. Along with the informative website StopCTE.org and social media pages, the foundation works to provide parents of school age children (who have very susceptible brains) with information about the dangers of sports which involve head trauma. The foundation also works to open the avenues for brain donations for research and awareness. And the foundation is also striving to increase awareness of the prevalence of CTE in our society in ex-athletes, veterans, and victims of domestic abuse.

Recently, Karen and Doug were on our show. During our conversation, they talked about:

– Some of their backgrounds – The loss of their thirty-two year old son, Patrick, to CTE – Some memories of their son and life as a football family – Dealing with Patrick’s health and emotional challenges – Finding out about CTE after their son passed away and dealing with the fact that Patrick was misdiagnosed – The medical profession not being up to speed when it comes to CTE – Karen believing that no one should play football unless they know that they are going to ruin their brain and suffer brain trauma – The growth of flag football and increased awareness in regards to CTE and brain trauma – The initial reaction to their campaign and opponents to their campaign – What role should government have in dealing with CTE – Their calls to action

You and find out more about Karen and Doug at:

StopCTE.org

Visit our website at https://www.thedrvibeshow.com/

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God bless, peace, be well and keep the faith,

Dr. Vibe