The publicity surrounding the death of actress Natasha Richardson from a head injury has been linked to a dramatic increase in the number of people going to the emergency room following their own head injuries. In one case, a young girl's life was saved when her parents learned that head injury symptoms can develop even 48 hours after the initial injury. They claim that Natasha Richardson's story is the reason they took their daughter to the ER when she developed a headache two days after her head injury.
Ms. Richardson's tragic death has alerted the public to a previously unknown condition called "talk and die" syndrome in which a head injury victim appears fine at first, but hours or days later develops a headache and other symptoms of an epidural hematoma (bleeding between the skull and the brain). This injury may occurs when an impact results in a laceration of a blood vessel in the head which forms a blood clot between the skull and the brain's protective covering (the dura). This clot slowly grows and puts pressure on the brain that, if not treated promptly, can result in death.
So, how do you know when a head injury is serious? Here are some tips to recognizing a serious head injury.
- Monitor Initial Symptoms
Anyone who suffers a blow to the head should be monitored closely in the hours and days following the injury. If the person experiences a headache, dizziness, vomiting, confusion or loss of coordination, you should get medical attention immediately. - Watch for a Sudden or Dramatic Change in Symptoms, Behavior or Comprehension.
Any sudden change in level of symptoms, such as a mild headache the suddenly becomes intense, sudden dizziness, sudden increase in drowsiness, etc.. requires immediate medical attention. - Pay Close Attention to Head Injuries in Children, the Elderly, or Anyone on Blood Thinners.
Because blood thinners (such as warfarin) can increase bleeding during injuries so what might otherwise be a mild head injury can develop a major bleed if a person is taking blood thinners. - If Unsure, Go to the ER
If you aren't sure how serious the head injury is, get it checked out at a trauma center, or emergency room where a head CT scan may be used to diagnose bleeding in the brain.
