Reported November, 2010

WHAT CAUSES BRAIN INJURY: Any kind of blow to the head can cause trauma and concussion. A blood vessel could tear under the skull, causing blood to accumulate in that area that will gradually displace the brain -- a life-threatening situation if not treated promptly. Other trauma can result from a car accident, or when a person is violently shaken, such as while riding a roller coaster. As the head whips sharply back and forth, the brain can pull away from one side of the skull and smash into the other side with sufficient force to rupture tiny blood vessels. The trickling blood accumulates in the small space between the brain and the skull, and the resulting pressure can lead to permanent brain damage or death if left untreated.

ANOTHER COLD THERAPY: Critical care physicians are using techniques to induce hypothermia in patients just after a cardiac arrest. A cold saline solution is injected into the patient's arm and circulates throughout the body. Meanwhile the patient lies down on a special chilled pad to help the body maintain this cooler temperature. This 24-hour process reduces the body temperature to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing swelling, slowing metabolism and thus decreasing the amount of brain damage that may occur.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Blake G. Welling, MD
Neurosurgeon, McKay-Dee Hospital
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 387-6520