Natasha Richardson Possible Victim of "Talk and Die" Syndrome

Natasha Richardson's behavior after a skiing accident was mysterious. According to one doctor it may be what is termed the "talk and die" syndrome.

Karlie Pouliot has written an article on FoxNews.com titled "Doctor: Natasha Richardson May Have Suffered "Talk and Die" Syndrome." The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Pouliot writes as details emerge about Richardson's skiing accident. We are told that she was quite lucid after her accident which was presumed to be a fall since there was no mention made of a major impact although it was noted that Richardson didn't have a helmet on.

While she seemed fine after the fall, the ski patrol insisted she follow protocol and an hour later after complaining she had a headache and didn't feel well she went to the hospital.

At this point I don't think you can yet believe all information. There seems to be conflicting reports.

The term used to describe her condition is "serious." Yet, according to those close to her, Richardson is brain dead and being flown back to New York to be taken off life support. Further, additional reports term her condition as critical.

As information continues to be released we know that Natasha Richardson is a British actress who is the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave. Her most sustaining marriage has been to the iconic actor Liam Neeson.

We now know she has been transported back to New York and some people close to her say she is brain dead.

Dr. Steven Flanagan director of Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine mentioned the term "Talk and Die" Syndrome as the possible reason for Richardson's quick deterioration.

After suffering an accident a small percentage of people, about two to three percent, become very ill and die.

As Flanagan goes on to say, these people have an epidural hemorrhage which is bleeding between the skull and brain that if not caught quickly and treated will kill them. That is what Flanagan suspects may have happened to Richardson.

When my wife and I were having our first son we made friends with a couple in our Lamaze class. Our sons were born on the same day and the husband, a couple of months later got an infection that killed him by causing his brain to swell.

While this isn't exactly the same thing, I can attest to the fact that symptoms aren't always accurate and conditions of the brain can come on quickly.

Natasha Richardson has two sons with Liam Neeson so there are extra reasons she should be in our prayers.

References:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509586,00.html
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