OUR brains are the most complex machine ever studied, with more than 86 billion nerve cells and enough information-processing capacity to hold the data from three million hours of TV.
Yet, physically, the brain is no stronger than a blancmange in a tin box; and when given a good shake, blood vessels will tear and cause bleeding within the closed container of the skull.
This is why any impact of significance to the head will cause bleeding within the brain, or between the brain and the skull, with an increase in pressure that can be lethal. (Just last month it was confirmed that ‘minor’ but accumulative damage caused by heading a football can raise the risk of professional players developing dementia.)
Now it appears there may be a safe, reliable and effective treatment for sudden traumatic brain injury – following an accident, for instance.
Tranexamic acid has been used for decades in treating nosebleeds, haemorrhage following dental extraction and for women with heavy menstruation.
It works by making blood clots more stable and longer lasting, thereby arresting bleeding,
The same drug given by injection is effective when used on patients suffering blood loss as a result of major trauma. And the sooner it is administered the better.
Last month researchers reported that tranexamic acid reduces death from head injury.
Road accidents and falls are the main causes, and although bleeding starts from the moment of impact, it continues for hours after the injury.
The study, conducted in 175 hospitals in 29 countries, has shown that the death rate of patients with this type of injury is reduced significantly by the drug.
This represents a ground-breaking advance, and paramedics will soon be using tranexamic acid for brain injury.
A brilliant yet simple finding that will save many lives.
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