What Is Head Trauma? Bob Saget's Family Reveal Cause of Comedian's Death

Bob Saget's family has revealed that the comedian and actor died as the result of a blow to the head. Saget, the star of Full House and its Netflix revival Fuller House, was found dead on January 9 in an Orlando hotel room. The 65-year-old had performed in Florida the previous night as part of his stand-up tour. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Saget's family said: "The authorities have determined that Bob passed from head trauma. They have concluded that he accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it, and went to sleep. No drugs or alcohol were involved." The medical examiner's office in Orange County, Florida, has yet to release further details of their investigation into Saget's death. Newsweek has contacted the office for comment. In January, the county's chief medical examiner, Joshua Stephany, said in a statement to CNN: "At this time, there is no evidence of drug use or foul play. The cause and manner of death are pending further studies and investigation."

Read more

• Mold In Man's Brain Caused Abscesses Like 'Two Little Dark Circles of Doom'
• Epithelioid Angiomyolipoma Explained As YouTuber Melanie Ham Dies
• Boy, 4, Paralyzed Over a Matter of Hours Diagnosed With Rare Disorder
• Stuntman 'Big Dave' Mattey Left Unable To Stand Due to Mysterious Illness

According to the Mount Sinai hospitals website, a head trauma can range from a minor bump on the skull to a serious brain injury. The term covers open head injuries, in which an object has broken the skull and entered the brain, and closed injuries, when a person has received a hard blow. The most common form of head injury is a concussion, caused when an impact or jolt forces the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Concussions aren't usually fatal but can have serious side effects. For many years it was considered dangerous to allow a person with a concussion to fall asleep, but today most health professionals no longer consider this a risk. Winchester Hospital in Massachusetts says: "It is generally considered safe for people with head injuries or concussions to go to sleep. In some cases, a doctor may recommend waking the person regularly to make sure his or her condition has not worsened." According to Mount Sinai, it can be difficult for a person to assess if a bang to the head has caused a closed head injury. This means resultant swelling of the brain or bleeding in the brain or the layers that surround the brain could go untreated. The New York hospital network recommends looking out for these symptoms: severe headache, clear or bloody fluid coming from the nose, ears, or mouth, confusion, drowsiness, memory loss or a loss of consciousness. Symptoms can also include changes in a person's hearing, sight, sense of taste or sense of smell. In addition, head injuries can lead to mood changes or strange behavior, slurred speech or vomiting. These symptoms can occur immediately after a blow to the head or can develop slowly over hours or even days. Anyone experiencing them should seek medical assistance immediately. Head traumas account for about one in six injury-related emergency admissions per year, according to Mount Sinai. It advises that the best way to avoid one is to wear safety equipment and protect the head during any activities likely to lead to a head injury, and to wear a seatbelt in cars. Tributes to Bob Saget poured in after his death in January, with Jim Carrey, Jimmy Kimmel and the Full House cast among those expressing their shock and sadness. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen worked on the sitcom with him. They wrote in a statement: "Bob was the most loving, compassionate and generous man. We are deeply saddened that he is no longer with us but know that he will continue to be by our side to guide us as gracefully as he always has."