Head injuries can range from mild to catastrophic and can be open or closed. Common causes include falls, car accidents, and sports injuries. Symptoms include excessive sleepiness, abnormal behavior, and increased headache or neck pain. Skull fractures require medical attention and should not be manipulated. Most head injuries are not life-threatening.
A head injury refers to trauma or injury to any part of the skull, scalp, or brain. Typically, a head injury can range from mild to catastrophic brain injury. Head trauma generally can be open or closed. An open head injury is also called a penetrating injury. Usually, an open head injury occurs when an individual is hit on the head with something that shatters the skull and causes it to enter the brain. An example of this would be passing through a windshield or suffering a gunshot wound.
Generally, a blunt traumatic head injury refers to receiving a sharp blow or blow to the head from hitting an object. This differs from an open head injury in that it does not break or shatter the skull. Both open and closed head injuries can cause a concussion. A concussion refers to shaking of the brain, usually from an injury. Another less serious traumatic brain injury is called a contusion. This refers to a bruise on the brain.
Fortunately, of the millions of head injuries that occur each year, most are not life threatening. The skull offers substantial protection to the brain, and although head injury can cause severe pain, the brain usually remains protected and undamaged. Common causes of head injury include falls, automobile accidents, and sports injuries. Although many head injuries are not serious, some cases of head trauma can cause paralysis, seizures, or coma.
Typical treatments for TBI begin with careful monitoring of the patient. The TBI patient should be observed for excessive sleepiness, abnormal behavior, and increased headache or neck pain. Additionally, the patient should be monitored for vomiting and unconsciousness. If the patient shows these symptoms, she needs emergency medical attention. If vomiting occurs before help arrives, the patient should be turned on their side to prevent aspiration of vomit material into the lungs.
Occasionally a head injury can produce a skull fracture. If the patient suffers a skull fracture, direct pressure should never be applied to the site. Also, the removal of any material or debris from the injured area should never be done. By manipulating the wound, foreign objects can further penetrate the brain. If you have a skull fracture, you need to see a doctor. In less severe head injuries with no symptoms, the patient can get relief with an over-the-counter pain reliever.
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