Many Alabama residents have suffered some form of harm to their brains. Modern medicine is examining the benefits for fish oil in helping people to recover from traumatic brain injuries. Fish oil contains many of the essential chemicals and proteins that the womb utilizes when it constructs the brain in the first place, so the idea is that those same building blocks can be helpful during the healing process.
Once a brain injury has been stabilized, there is almost nothing that medical science can do to promote the healing process. Moreover, an injured brain may swell, which can lead to further harm as cell connections are damaged and the brain crushes itself against the inside of the skull. At the moment the only effective method to treat the swelling is to reduce the pressure inside of the skull.
Recent experiments with fish oil and hyperbaric oxygen have shown promising results. These substances mimic the chemical building blocks that are present at the formation of the brain. A human brain is about 30 percent comprised of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in abundance in fish oil. Animal trials indicate that a surfeit of omega-3 fatty acids help to fight inflammation, reconnect damaged neurons and prevent cell death.
Large scale studies are needed for these promising developments. More than 1.7 million Americans suffer traumatic brain injuries every year. If a patient comes to further harm after being treated in an unapproved or untested way, his or her doctor may be held accountable. A personal injury might review the medical records and determine if there is a chance of pursuing a settlement.
Source: CNN Health, “Fish oil helped save our son”, Stephanie Smith, October 22, 2013
