by Carla Roberson

Created on: April 04, 2009   Last Updated: April 05, 2009

Hollywood lost a talented actress when Natasha Richardson recently passed away. Ms. Richardson will be missed not only as an actress; but also as a mother and a devoted wife.

I was not only saddened but I was also appalled when I read about Ms. Richardson's death. It was more unsettling to learn that her sudden and untimely death could have been avoided, if proper care were evoked at the onset of the injury.

Natasha Richardson passed away from an epidural hematoma, when she received a head injury resulting from ski lessons that she was being given at the time.

As a former self-proclaimed hypochondriac, I have concerned myself with simple aches and pains, worried over frivolous twitches and fretted over a slew of minor medical insignificances; however, there comes a time when one should take serious responsibility over their health. I am not a doctor, so it is important to understand I am not giving medical advice; I am simply offering important information regarding head traumas and when it is essential to seek medical advice.

I remember years ago, a very good friend of mine had a cerebral hematoma. At the time he experienced symptoms, he could not figure out what was wrong. He suffered from vomiting, nausea and headaches. Over the course of approximately two weeks, his symptoms appeared to worsen. Finally, he was able to employ the assistance of a prestigious medical practitioner who administered the treatment necessary in order for him to survive. My friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, admitted that he did not know for sure how his injury came about; but he suspects it may have resulted as an effect from rollerblading which he often participated in at the time.

According to medical experts, an epidural hematoma does not always have to be fatal. Look at these astounding figures on traumatic brain injuries. Last year 1.4 million people sustained a traumatic brain injury. 1.1 million of those people were treated and released. 235,000 were hospitalized and unfortunately 50,0000 died.

Brain damage can range from mild and moderate to severe. Moderate and severe damage usually manifest soon after an accident. Symptoms include but are not limited to loss of consciousness, behavioral changes, loss of memory and/or loss of sensory perception and motor loss. In addition, one can experience blurry or double vision, headaches, lightheadedness, irritability, loss of balance, loss of memory, vertigo, slurred speech and numbness and/or pain.

Alternatively mild brain damage can be more difficult to diagnose. Mild brain damage can easily go untreated and lead to long term effects such as loss of memory, muscle stiffness, weakness, dizziness, balance problems, clumsiness, fatigue, seizures, loss of hearing, loss of speech, stuttering and/or mood swings. In addition, depression, nausea and irritability are also signs of brain injuries. Again, these symptoms are not limited or inclusive; in the unfortunate event that one may possibly experience a brain injury, he or she should seek immediate medical attention.

How is it that one would perceive whether or not he or she has suffered a traumatic brain injury? The answer really is very simple; seek medical attention immediately after any forceful head injury. Do not take chances and do not make any rash assumptions. Life is too precious for us to medically diagnose ourselves; instead we should leave it to the professionals.

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