How to know if a head injury is serious

Signs of a serious head injury. Seek immediate medical attention if, after a knock to the head, you notice any of these symptoms in either you or your child: unconsciousness, either briefly or for a longer period of time. difficulty staying awake or still being sleepy several hours after the injury.

When should I see my doctor? You should see your doctor after a head injury if you have any of the symptoms listed above. You should see your doctor right away or go to the emergency room if you have bad headaches, repeated vomiting, difficulty using your arms or legs, or worsening sleepiness or confusion.

Signs or symptoms that a head injury may be more than a concussion and requires emergency treatment include: Changes in size of pupils. Clear or bloody fluid draining from the nose, mouth, or ears. Convulsions.

When to see a doctor

Seek immediate medical attention after a blow to the head if you: Lose consciousness. Have a persistent headache. Experience vomiting, weakness, blurred vision, unsteadiness.

Most medical professionals say it is fine—sometimes even advised—to let people sleep after incurring a head injury. The American Academy of Family Physicians states it is not necessary to keep a person awake after a head injury.

See a doctor within one to two days of a significant head injury with ongoing symptoms, even if emergency care isn’t required. Seek emergency medical attention if your child experiences: Unconsciousness, confusion or disorientation after a head injury.

In most people, symptoms occur within the first seven to 10 days and go away within three months. Sometimes, they can persist for a year or more. The goal of treatment after concussion is to effectively manage your symptoms.

The Impact of “Minor” Hits

While it’s more obvious that experiencing a serious concussion while participating in sports can cause long-term brain damage, a new study in the online journal, PLOS, found that little hits along the way can cause problems, too.

Temper outbursts after TBI are likely caused by several factors, including: Injury to the parts of the brain that control emotional expression. Frustration and dissatisfaction with the changes in life brought on by the injury, such as loss of one’s job and independence.

Often, CT scans aren’t necessary.

CT scans can show if there is swelling or bleeding in the brain or a fracture in the skull. If you have signs of a serious injury, a CT scan is usually the best first test to diagnose it. Your health care provider will look for specific signs of a more serious problem.

Someone with a head injury needs to go to the hospital’s emergency department (A&E) as soon as possible if anything in the box below applies. This should be by ambulance if needed. Unconsciousness or lack of full consciousness, even if the person has now recovered. Any clear fluid running from the ears or nose.

Skull fractures can occur with or without brain damage. Symptoms may include pain, symptoms of brain damage, and, in certain fractures, fluid leaking from the nose or ears or bruises behind the ears or around the eyes. Computed tomography is used to diagnose skull fractures. Many skull fractures require no treatment.

Skull fracture

Unlike most bones in your body, your skull doesn’t have bone marrow. This makes the skull very strong and difficult to break. A broken skull is unable to absorb the impact of a blow, making it more likely that there’ll also be damage to your brain.

His bottom line, primarily based on a bike-helmet study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, is that a skull crush would require 520 pounds (2,300 newtons) of force. That’s thought to be roughly twice as much force as human hands can typically muster.

Skull fracture symptoms may include:

Small cut, bruise or swelling of the head (up to 24 hours to see bruises and bumps) Pain or tenderness at the site of injury.

The role of surgery is limited in the management of skull fractures. Infants and children with open depressed fractures require surgical intervention. Most surgeons prefer to elevate depressed skull fractures if the depressed segment is more than 5 mm below the inner table of adjacent bone.

Treating skull fractures

Most skull fractures will heal by themselves, particularly if they’re simple linear fractures. The healing process can take many months, although any pain will usually disappear in around 5 to 10 days.

A skull fracture is a head injury where there is a break in the skull bone. While mild breaks can cause few problems and heal over time, severe breaks can lead to complications including bleeding, brain damage, leaking of cerebrospinal fluid, infection and seizures.

Apply firm pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. But don’t apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull fracture. Watch for changes in breathing and alertness. If the person shows no signs of circulation — no breathing, coughing or movement — begin CPR.