Actress Dead After Sports Concussion
Natasha Richardson, award-winning actress wife of famed Schindler’s List star Liam Neeson, died at the age of 45 from a head injury received in a skiing accident where she did not wear a helmet.
Although the official cause of death hasn’t been released, speculation is that her initial concussion caused a lot more damage than initially suspected. This highlights the importance of getting your head checked out after it gets clonked, even if you feel fine. The pain and problems start an hour or even a day after the initial clonk on the head.
Clonks On The Head That Need Checking Out
Granted, going to the emergency room (A & E for those in the UK) is no party. It’s a long, boring, nerve-wracking time that can last for a day sitting under bright lights and uncomfortable chairs, surrounded by sick people. But, it can save your life.
Suspiscious clonks on the head that need checking out include:
- Anything that happened on the workplace. At least your employer will pay for the ememrgency room care.
- Banging your head into a metal or wood shelf
- Any time you become unconscious
- Getting kicked in the head by a horse (trust me on this one. I didn’t get my head checked after a mare reared up and clonked me with her forehoof and it’s a wonder I’m still alive.)
- Sports concussions, helmet or no helmet
- Falling on concrete
- Falling out of a tree — even if you wore a helmet
- Anytime it takes you longer than three minutes to decide if you should go to the emergency room. If you’re unsure — go.
And Rememeber
It is safe to take a nap when you have a concussion. Just do it in the emergency room.
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