Pätevä lääkäri olisi tiedostanut tämän ja toki osannut vetää johtopäätökset dopingkärystä.
Repeated head trauma in boxers (and other contact athletes) is linked to hypopituitarism (pituitary gland damage) and subsequent low testosterone (hypogonadism), leading to sexual dysfunction (like erectile dysfunction) and other hormonal issues, even years later. This damage often affects the pituitary's blood supply or nerve connections, disrupting hormone production, with studies showing boxers have lower testosterone and growth hormone (GH) but higher cortisol levels than controls.
Why This Happens:
Physical Injury to Pituitary: The forces from head impacts can damage the pituitary gland or the nerve fibers connecting it to the hypothalamus, which controls it.
Vascular Damage: The pituitary's blood vessels are long and vulnerable to shearing from brain movement during trauma, causing ischemia (lack of blood flow).
Hormonal Cascade: Damage to the pituitary (often the gonadotrophs) reduces production of hormones like Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), leading to decreased testosterone production.
Key Findings:
Boxers & Athletes: Studies on boxers and former NFL players show increased rates of low testosterone and erectile dysfunction (ED) linked to concussion history.
Dose-Dependent Risk: More concussion symptoms (headaches, dizziness, disorientation) correlate with higher odds of low testosterone and ED.
Beyond Testosterone: GH deficiency and elevated cortisol are also common, indicating broader pituitary dysfunction.
Long-Term Effects: These issues can manifest years after the injuries, affecting overall health and sexual function.
Implications:
Clinicians treating athletes or individuals with head trauma should proactively screen for testosterone deficiency and ED.
These findings highlight the systemic, physical consequences of repeated head injuries, relevant for all contact sports and TBI survivors.