In fall, one of the things that we start to see as the weather changes is slipperier conditions in particular when we start getting ice in the morning–something for everybody to be aware of. In particular, for our parents, or for some of the older members of our population.
The brain, as we get older, shrinks a little bit and when it shrinks a little bit it makes more space between the brain and the skull. So, if you slip and fall when you’re going out to your car on a steep driveway and you strike your head, when we’re older, that potential space there makes you a little bit more susceptible to developing blood clots around the brain; something called subdural hematomas. This is especially problematic for those people who have to be on what we call blood thinners. Either drugs that affect platelets or affect the coagulation cascade because you usually have heart problems or circulation problems.
This is another time where a little bit of caution is appropriate. Leather soled shoes and ice can be really treacherous–putting some sand down or something–but a little extra caution as we start getting into this slippery season is particularly important for those of us who are a little bit older or those of us on medications that affect blood clotting.
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Meet Dr. Rosen
Dr. Rosen most recently served as Department Chair of Neurological Surgery at West Virginia University (WVU) School of Medicine from 2012 through 2017, following his 2011 appointment as Interim Department Chair.
He joined the faculty at WVU in 2001 and held various positions in the WVU Department of Neurosurgery, including vice chair, director of research and the neurosurgical research laboratories, and director of cranial base surgery.
He was professor of Neurosurgery and Program Director for Residency in Neurological Surgery in the WVU Department of Neurosurgery at WVU School of Medicine, among other academic and clinical roles.
If you would like to refer a patient to Dr. Rosen, please call (309) 684-6333
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