Nice – the experts blame the public for not taking head injuries seriously:
Bob Saget’s death — the result of a blow to the back of his head, according to his family — is a stark reminder of how even brain trauma that seems mild might merit medical attention, experts say.
….
With few other details released, neurologists were unable to speculate on Saget’s medical situation. But they said the mindset that he found himself in is not rare: It’s common for people to minimize head injuries.
Source: After Bob Saget’s death, a plea from experts: Err on the side of caution with head trauma
In my experience, the doctors also “minimize[d] head injuries”.
My history
- Fell out of a tree at age 6, knocked out. Ended up in speech therapy for 18 months. This occurred in mid 1960s and I was not seen by a doctor.
- Bicycle crash, age 11 1/2. Knocked out. Seen my family physician. Was referred to outpatient radiology clinic FIVE DAYS LATER to have my head x-rayed. On day six, my Mom was told I had about a 5″ long skull fracture on the left side of my head. At this time, I was vomiting and bedridden. At home. I am told my siblings that for a period of time I was not communicating and did not know names. I required assistance to get dressed or walk to the bathroom. I never was told about TBI, nor every sent to any other therapy and suffered issues for years – that I did not know where from brain injuries.
- In my 20s, two more bike crashes, broke helmets, knocked me out, broke other bones. No doctor mentioned TBI to me.
- In my 40s, two more falls – one on ice – knocked me out. Had a variety of problems including unable to speak certain words (only known cause is TBI or stroke), tinnitus, anxiety/panic attacks, perseveration (where the brain is basically stuck in a loop on a topic) and over a dozen more issues. Pretty much a large set of common post TBI problems.
- In spite of seeing doctors for related issues, no one ever asked me about history of head injuries, and I didn’t know I should have brought it up. Not until 2018 or so did I stumble on a book about TBI and casually began reading – oh my, there was my life on every page. A chance encounter with a neuropsychologist persuaded me this was serious. I then met with my own doctor for over 30 minutes to go over my history and symptoms and was diagnosed with past TBI. I was on medication for a bit and met with a neuropsychologist for over 5 months. I am no longer on medication now.
It would be useful if health care professionals took head injuries seriously too.
