Natasha Richardson Dies from "Talk and Die" Syndrome
Natasha Richardson was taken off life support today. I'm not sure why they didn't leave her on longer, but the cause of death was from what doctors call "talk and die" syndrome. After the fall leading up to her death, Richardson was talking and joking. Dr. Carmelo Graffagnino, director of Duke University Medical Center's Neurosciences Critical Care Unit, told CNN that a person can seem perfectly normal after a fall and be lucid. Then all of a sudden the person will deteriorate. The injury is called an epidural hemorrhage, and the fall does not have to be hard at all. The injury generally occurs around the ear, where there is a major artery:
"There is an artery that runs above the skull and can get torn and begin to bleed above the lining of the brain." Graffagnino says.
"At that point all the pressure is pushed on the brain, causing it to swell but there is often no room for it to move inside the skull cavity. And as the pressure continues, it reduces blood flow to the brain and a patient would begin to feel the symptoms."
Immediate treatment is imperative after these falls because of the irreversible damage caused from the swelling in the brain. Even if there are no immediate symptoms it is important to have it checked out:
"One of the things we teach to trauma teams, is if a group of people are in a car crash and someone dies, we have to assume everyone else has serious injuries--even if they look good, and say they feel totally fine," Graffagnino said.
"Nausea, severe headache, glossy eyes, sudden sleepiness, are all common symptoms. Getting to a hospital within the first few hours is critical to prevent permanent brain damage, experts say. An emergency room team can quickly determine the severity of your injury. An emergency craniotomy -- opening of the skull -- surgery is often needed to stop the bleeding and control brain swelling."
Injuries like this can be prevented by wearing a helmet. My heart goes out to Richardson's family and friends.
March 19, 2009
Natasha Richardson Dies from "Talk and Die" Syndrome
Natasha Richardson was taken off life support today. I'm not sure why they didn't leave her on longer, but the cause of death was from what doctors call "talk and die" syndrome. After the fall leading up to her death, Richardson was talking and joking. Dr. Carmelo Graffagnino, director of Duke University Medical Center's Neurosciences Critical Care Unit, told CNN that a person can seem perfectly normal after a fall and be lucid. Then all of a sudden the person will deteriorate. The injury is called an epidural hemorrhage, and the fall does not have to be hard at all. The injury generally occurs around the ear, where there is a major artery:
Immediate treatment is imperative after these falls because of the irreversible damage caused from the swelling in the brain. Even if there are no immediate symptoms it is important to have it checked out:
Injuries like this can be prevented by wearing a helmet. My heart goes out to Richardson's family and friends.
source: CNN
image: People