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Nikeyia Ingram, 38, who was diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD) at just 6 months old, experiences pain nearly every day due to the red blood cell disorder. Most days, she’s able to treat the pain and manage her disease by controlling her stress, staying hydrated and keeping in touch with her medical team. Lately, Ingram has been finding that grief has been affecting her ability to manage her disease. Last year, she lost her 15-year-old, Demetrius Ingram, her only son, in a car accident. The heartache exacerbates her pain.

An epidemic of chronic diseases continues to grow in the United States; half the population — an estimated 129 million Americans — have lifelong health conditions that need continuous medical attention and limit certain daily activities.

Every February, a very famous football game consumes the general American public. Football is a beloved sport and pastime that celebrates athleticism and teamwork and captures the imaginations of kids who have dreams of going pro. But as The Big Game has grown in size and spectacle over the years, more concern has bubbled up over head injuries, like concussions, in football.

There’s a lot to love about football, but there are also safety factors to consider — as there are with any sport. Here’s what to know about concussions and football.