If you get hit in the head hard, should you avoid natural blood thinners like fish oil and garlic to prevent a chronic subdural hematoma?
I posed this very interesting question to a neurological surgeon, because it made sense to me that someone’s brain could be (for lack of a better phrase), on the fence about eventually suffering a chronic subdural hematoma.
Or maybe they are destined to develop a chronic subdural hematoma—but one so tiny that it never produces symptoms and is naturally reabsorbed by the body’s healing process.
However, what if this individual has been taking natural blood thinners, namely, omega-3 fish oil supplements and garlic?
Might these be variables that would make what could be only a five-millimeter brain bleed turn into a 15 mm collection?
Or perhaps the fish oil and garlic might cause the chronic subdural hematoma where, if this person was NOT taking natural blood thinners, would never develop the bleed.
Let us assume that in this hypothetical scenario, the person who gets hit in the head does not experience any neurological symptoms of concern at the time of injury, such as altered consciousness, loss of consciousness, nausea or visual disturbances.
Specific research on this does not exist, but here is what Charles Park, MD, explains:
“In my opinion, it will be good to avoid anything that might increase the odds of bleeding, such as any chemical blood thinners or natural blood thinners.”
Dr. Park is Director of The Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.
He adds: “Even though there are no neuro symptoms, there maybe some injury to the brain, which is susceptible to further bleeding.”
So if you get hit in the head really hard, and normally take fish oil supplements or garlic supplements, play it safe by avoiding these.
Since a chronic subdural hematoma can occur up to 90 days following trauma to the head, this is the length of time you should avoid the supplements.
And it goes without saying, avoid aspirin. If you’ve been instructed by your doctor, however, to take a daily aspirin for heart health, make sure the prescribing doctor knows of your head trauma.
Don’t quit the aspirin without being evaluated by your doctor.
Discontinuing it without medical guidance can increase your risk of the conditions it’s been prescribed for, or lead to unintended health consequences.
Your doctor will evaluate your current health status, review your risk factors and determine whether continuing or stopping aspirin is appropriate for you if you’ve recently hit your head hard.
Dr. Park specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques for treatment of conditions affecting the brain and spine. He is skilled in advanced procedures and techniques that utilize innovative computer technology and image guided surgery systems.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cyber security topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She is also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
.
