The cause of death is finally known: US actor Bob Saget († 65), who died a month ago, died of a traumatic brain injury.
This explains the family, as “E! News» reported. The “Full House” star “accidentally hit the back of his head.” He “didn’t think anything of it and fell asleep.”
Expert Peter Zangger (76), honorary member and founding president of the Fragile Suisse organization for brain injuries, knows exactly what such a craniocerebral trauma is. The Zurich neurologist explains Blick: “It is an injury to the brain tissue caused by a significant force.” The doctor gives examples: “A collision on the ground or against a vehicle. A hit on the head with a heavier object, such as a brick. Or a pronounced acceleration of the head – if, for example, a small child is shaken violently.”
Comedian and “Full House” star: Bob Saget († 65) found dead in hotel room(00:45)
That could have happened at Saget
In the case of Bob Saget, it could have happened like this, the doctor explains: “The blow to the back of his head caused a hemorrhage in the brain.” This led to increasing pressure in the brain. “And ultimately the brain was fatally damaged. It may be that Saget only had temporary pain immediately after the blow and therefore did not assume a traumatic brain injury.
Signs of such a craniocerebral trauma are about loss or disturbance of consciousness, says neurologist Zangger. ‘Like confusion. If such signs appear, you should see a doctor or go to the hospital.”
Even if it is not known whether Saget felt such signs, it is clear that he did not visit a hospital or a doctor. Instead, his body was found on January 9, 2022 in his room at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Orlando, Florida. However, Zangger’s recommendation is clear: “If you have a temporary loss of consciousness after a blow to the head, have yourself checked again and again for 24 hours.”
“Characteristic changes and slowing down” after brain injuries
The Saget example shows that the consequences of a blow to the head can be fatal. But not every traumatic brain injury is fatal, according to Zangger. But in general, the neurologist states: “Brain injuries are not taken seriously enough. The consequences are also often underestimated as they can be almost invisible, such as personality changes and slowing down.” And there is no brain injury that does not leave a deficit. “That is unfortunately the case. These can be small in the case of minor brain injuries. »
But even these minor brain injuries are often not taken seriously enough, according to the rehabilitation doctor. “Just 20 years ago, ice hockey checks, for example, were taken lightly. But even with minor brain injuries, deficits can occur and sometimes remain behind – such as delayed reactions and slightly reduced motor performance.”
But Zangger gives hope: “Virtually every brain injury shows an improvement in the deficits over time, both spontaneously and even more so after treatment, including rehabilitation.”