| If you or anyone you know has been injured in an | | | | develops between the brain and the dura. This kind of |
| accident, be it a car accident or a slip in the driveway, it | | | | bleeding can exert immense pressure on our brain and |
| is essential to get yourself checked for any injuries to | | | | practically squeeze the brain. It can take several days |
| the brain. Experts say that even seemingly minor | | | | for the symptoms of brain injury to appear. |
| injuries can be serious. | | | | Sometimes, accidents can result in bruising of the brain. |
| Take the case of actress Natasha Richardson who | | | | This does not any of the classic symptoms of brain |
| was injured when she fell during a skiing lesson in a | | | | injury, nor does any damage appear on CAT scans. |
| resort in Canada. She seemed perfectly fine after the | | | | As time progresses, the nerves surrounding the bruise |
| incident and was enjoying her time with acquaintances. | | | | begin to stretch resulting in axonal injury. |
| However, after returning to the room, she suffered | | | | These facts stress the importance of getting oneself |
| from severe headache and was admitted to a hospital | | | | evaluated after car accidents or sports injuries. It is |
| in close proximity. Her condition deteriorated and she | | | | also essential to be aware of the classic symptoms of |
| had to be airlifted to a larger hospital in Montreal. Later | | | | brain trauma including nausea, headache, sudden |
| the actress was flown to another hospital in New | | | | sleepiness, and glossy eyes. Dr Philip Stieg, chair of |
| York but succumbed to her injuries. | | | | neurosurgery at NYP/Weil Cornell, says that it is |
| Neurosurgeons and physicians call this the "talk and | | | | essential to get the patient checked for brain injury |
| die" syndrome. The patient appears deceptively normal | | | | even if there is no external injury. Getting to the |
| in the initial stages, but there is bleeding in the brain and | | | | hospital within a few hours of the incident can help |
| the classic symptoms associated with brain bleeding | | | | prevent permanent brain damage. |
| appear only later. It may take anywhere from a few | | | | Once at the hospital, surgeons may check for signs of |
| hours to a few days for the symptoms to appear, | | | | brain trauma by examining the pupils, which is often |
| depending on the type and extent of injury. | | | | followed by a question answer session. Questions |
| Dura mater is a hard skin layer between our skull and | | | | include asking the patient his or her name and other |
| the brain. If an artery associated with the brain gets | | | | general information to determine response and |
| ruptured, it can release blood into the dura mater. This | | | | cognitive skills. If any sign of brain trauma is observed, it |
| blood exerts pressure on our brain, causing it to swell | | | | is essential to undergo a CAT scan. In case there is |
| up. This in turn results in a reduction in blood supply to | | | | bleeding and swelling of the brain an emergency |
| the brain. This is called epidural hemorrhage. | | | | craniotomy needs to be done. The skull is opened to |
| Graffagnino, the director of Duke University Medical | | | | relieve pressure on the brain and stop bleeding. Brain |
| Center's Neurosciences Critical Care Unit says that | | | | activity is monitored and the extent of damage |
| most cases of epidural hemorrhage are associated | | | | analyzed. The patient may have to spend years in |
| with fracture of the temporal bone, located just above | | | | cognitive and physical rehabilitation to regain normal |
| the ears. An artery runs in this region. Fracture of the | | | | brain function. |
| temporal bone can result in bleeding from this artery. | | | | Experts suggest two things: one is to wear a helmet |
| Even a small accident can cause such injuries. This is | | | | so as to protect your brain and another is to rush to |
| particularly true in case of people taking blood thinners | | | | the hospital and get yourself or your friends evaluated |
| since it increased risk of hemorrhages. | | | | after an accident even if you feel fine. These simple |
| Graffagnino describes another kind of bleed in the | | | | steps may actually help in saving a precious life. |
| brain, called subdural bleed. In this case, the bleed | | | | |