Health: Talk and Die Syndrome

R.I.P. Natasha Richardson. The beautiful actress died Wednesday after falling during a skiing lesson. Her death serves as a grim reminder that life is very short. It should also prompt you to educate yourself. A blow to the head while at first seems minor can result in death. It's very common for someone who has fallen or been in a car accident to be perfectly lucid following the accident. That was the case with Richardson. Witnesses say she was joking but later complained of head pain. Such injuries are known as an epidural hemorrhage. Blood gets trapped between the skull and the hard layer of skin between the bone and brain, known as the dura mater. As the blood flows from the ruptured artery, the fluid builds and punctures the dura. Patients are often unaware they've fractured their skull. The condition is commonly referred to as "talk and die" syndrome among neuroscience physicians and surgeons. The delay in symptoms can range from five minutes to three hours after the accident. Recognizing the signs is critical. Nausea, severe headache, glossy eyes, sudden sleepiness, are all common symptoms. It is important to get to a hospital within the first few hours to prevent brain damage. I hate to be Debbie Downer but knowing is half the battle. Be safe.