Closed Head Injury

A closed head injury occurs when there is trauma to the brain without penetration of the skull. The soft tissue of the brain is delicate, and the skull usually serves to protect it. But when a moving head is abruptly stopped – as may occur in a car accident or fall – or when the head is forcibly struck, the brain may hit against the side of the rough, hard skull. The resulting damage, which can include bleeding, swelling, and tearing, can range from mild to serious.

Although doctors used to believe that a closed head injury was less severe than an open head injury (in which the skull has been penetrated), this is not necessarily the case. In fact, an open head injury may actually allow pressure in the brain caused by the accident to be relieved. A closed head injury, on the other hand, allows no outlet for this pressure. Instead, any swelling is constrained, which can cause further, exacerbated damage to both the brain and brain stem.

A person who has had a closed head injury may show no immediate signs of being hurt. The three major problems listed above – bleeding, swelling, and tearing – can go undetected after an accident for hours or even days. However, postponing their discovery can allow these problems to become worse, leading to more permanent damage or even death. If you have a head injury, see a doctor, regardless of whether you are aware of any effects. The following supplements should not be started until after any bleeding, selling, and tearing has been resolved, unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider.

Supplements to treat a closed head injury

• Calcium citrate
• Coenzyme Q10
• Copper
• EPA/DHA (fish oil)
• Flaxseed
• Magnesium citrate
• Multivitamins
• Phosphatidylserine
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) – Stop taking Vitamin B5 supplements if you begin having chest pains or breathing problems.
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
• Zinc