Mild traumatic brain injuries usually require no treatment other than rest and over-the-counter pain relievers to treat a headache. However, a person with a mild traumatic brain injury usually needs to be monitored closely at home for any persistent, worsening or new symptoms. He or she may also have follow-up doctor appointments.
Full Answer
What is the treatment for a head injury?
Treatment. In people with more extensive head injuries, treatment depends on the type of injury, its severity and its location. In many cases, treatment takes place in an intensive care unit with mechanical ventilation (breathing assistance) and with medications to control pain, decrease swelling inside the brain,...
When should I go to the hospital for a head injury?
A serious head injury that involves bleeding or brain damage must be treated in a hospital. For a mild head injury, no treatment may be needed. However, call for medical advice and watch for symptoms of a head injury, which can show up later.
What are the first aid steps for a head injury?
Administer the following first-aid steps while waiting for emergency medical help to arrive: Keep the person still. The injured person should lie down with the head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary, and avoid moving the person's neck.
What should I do if I sustain a head injury alone?
If you sustain a head injury while you're alone, you should take extra precautions as well, like telling someone else about your head injury or calling your doctor (or scheduling a telemedicine session) to find out if and when you should seek treatment.
How do you treat a hit on the head?
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.
When should you seek medical treatment after hitting your head?
Seek emergency care for an adult or child who experiences a head injury and signs and symptoms such as: Repeated vomiting or nausea. A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds. A headache that gets worse over time.
How do I know if my head injury is serious?
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you have danger signsHave a headache that gets worse and does not go away.Experience weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, convulsions, or seizures.Vomit repeatedly.Have slurred speech or unusual behavior.More items...
Which medicine is best for head injury?
Head Injury MedicationOsmotic diuretics.Anticonvulsants.Electrolytes.Barbiturates.Calcium Channel Blocker.Stimulants.Dopamine agonist.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.More items...•
How can I tell if a head injury is mild or severe?
There are three grades: Grade 1: Mild, with symptoms that last less than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness. Grade 2: Moderate, with symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness. Grade 3: Severe, in which the person loses consciousness, sometimes for just a few seconds.
Should you go to the hospital if you fell and hit your head?
Emerman says patients who've suffered a head injury should visit the Emergency Department immediately if they: Lost consciousness or became confused/disoriented after they were injured. Suffered the injury at a high speed (car or bike accident, a steep fall, etc.) Are vomiting or feel nauseated.
When do you need a CT scan for a head injury?
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.
What are the symptoms of a slow brain bleed?
SymptomsIncreasing headache.Vomiting.Drowsiness and progressive loss of consciousness.Dizziness.Confusion.Unequal pupil size.Slurred speech.Loss of movement (paralysis) on the opposite side of the body from the head injury.
How do you know if your brain is bleeding after hitting your head?
Sharp and painful headaches, along with confusion, are often the first signs of brain bleeding. However, the symptoms often depend on the bleed's location. If you recently suffered from brain trauma and begin experiencing different or worsening symptoms, seek emergency medical help immediately.
How long after hitting head can concussion symptoms start?
"For some people, the symptoms after a concussion may not become apparent until later in the day,” says Beth Kolar, advanced clinician at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, part of Main Line Health, who explains that delayed concussion symptoms may present 24 to 48 hours after and injury.
How to diagnose a head injury?
The diagnosis of a head injury is made with a physical examination and diagnostic tests. During the examination, the doctor obtains a complete medical history of the patient and family and asks how the injury occurred. Trauma to the head can cause neurological problems and may require further medical follow up.
What is the term for a head injury?
Head injuries are also commonly referred to as brain injury , or traumatic brain injury (TBI), depending on the extent of the head trauma.
What causes a bruise on the head?
When there is a direct blow to the head, shaking of the child (as seen in many cases of child abuse), or a whiplash-type injury (as seen in motor vehicle accidents), the bruising of the brain and the damage to the internal tissue and blood vessels is due to a mechanism called coup-countrecoup. A bruise directly related to trauma, at the site of impact, is called a coup (pronounced COO) lesion. As the brain jolts backwards, it can hit the skull on the opposite side and cause a bruise called a countrecoup lesion. The jarring of the brain against the sides of the skull can cause shearing (tearing) of the internal lining, tissues, and blood vessels that may cause internal bleeding, bruising, or swelling of the brain.
What is a bruise on the side of the skull called?
As the brain jolts backwards, it can hit the skull on the opposite side and cause a bruise called a countrecoup lesion.
How to measure intracranial pressure?
Intracranial pressure is measured in two ways. One way is to place a small hollow tube (catheter) into the fluid-filled space in the brain (ventricle). Other times, a small, hollow device (bolt) is placed through the skull into the space just between the skull and the brain. Both devices are inserted by the doctor either in the intensive care unit (ICU) or in the operating room. The ICP device is then attached to a monitor that gives a constant reading of the pressure inside the skull. If the pressure goes up, it can be treated right away. While the ICP device is in place the patient will be given medication to stay comfortable. When the swelling has gone down and there is little chance of more swelling, the device will be removed.
What are the different types of head injuries?
The following are some of the different types of head injuries: Concussion. A concussion is an injury to the head area that may cause instant loss of awareness or alertness for a few minutes up to a few hours after the traumatic event. Skull fracture. A skull fracture is a break in the skull bone.
How many people have TBI each year?
Head injuries are rising dramatically--about 1.7 million people have a TBI each year. Millions of Americans are alive today who have had a head injury and now need help with the activities of daily living, costing the country more than $56 billion per year.
How to tell if you have a severe head injury?
Symptoms of a severe head injury include: significant bleeding. passing out and not waking up. having a seizure. problems with vision, taste, or smell. difficulty staying alert or awake. clear fluid or blood coming out of the ears or nose. bruises behind the ears. weakness or numbness.
How long after a head injury should you check on someone?
In the first 24 hours after a mild head injury, a person should ask someone to check on them regularly. If a person loses consciousness or shows signs of confusion or memory loss, it is vital to see a doctor. A person should avoid using drugs or alcohol, driving, or playing contact sports after a head injury.
What is the difference between a head injury and a traumatic brain injury?
Types. A head injury may present different symptoms. There are a range of head injury types, and the injury can be more or less severe within each category. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when the brain is damaged, usually because of an accident. A person may have a TBI if an object hits their head, or if an object penetrates ...
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a form of TBI that temporarily stops the brain from functioning normally. Symptoms of a concussion are not always serious or long-lasting but may cause complications. The skull is made of very hard, thick bone designed to protect the brain from injuries.
What is a TBI in the brain?
A TBI damages the brain, usually causing a blood clot or bruising. A blood clot in the brain is known as an intracranial hematoma (ICH). An ICH can be more or less severe depending on its size and location in the brain.
How long does a head injury last?
Moderate and severe head injuries require immediate treatment. If the symptoms of a mild head injury last for more than 2 weeks, a person should also seek medical advice.
What does it mean when your skull breaks?
If the skull breaks and the bone or another object punctures the brain, a doctor will refer to the injury as an open head injury or penetrating head injury.
What is a head injury?
Share. A head injury is any trauma to the scalp, skull, or brain. The injury may be only a minor bump on the skull or a serious brain injury. Head injury can be either closed or open (penetrating). A closed head injury means you received a hard blow to the head from striking an object, but the object did not break the skull.
How do you know if you have a head injury?
In penetrating head injuries, a high velocity object breaks through the skull and enters the brain. The signs and symptoms of a head injury may occur immediately or develop slowly over several hours. You've fallen and hit your head. It hurts a little, but you're not bleeding and you feel okay.
Why do you need an emergency room visit?
In the brain tissue. In the layers that surround the brain ( subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma , extradural hematoma) Head injury is a common reason for an emergency room visit. A large number of people who suffer head injuries are children.
How to stop bleeding from a swollen head?
Stop any bleeding by firmly pressing a clean cloth on the wound. If the injury is serious, be careful not to move the person's head. If blood soaks through the cloth, do not remove it. Place another cloth over the first one.
Why are skull injuries minor?
Most of these injuries are minor because the skull protects the brain. Some injuries are severe enough to require a stay in the hospital.
What are the causes of head injuries?
Common causes of head injury include traffic accidents, falls, physical assault, and accidents at home, work, outdoors, or while playing sports. Intracerebellar hemorrhage shown by CT scan.
What does it mean when your head is open?
An open, or penetrating, head injury means you were hit with an object that broke the skull and entered the brain. This is more likely to happen when you move at high speed, such as going through the windshield during a car accident. It can also happen from a gunshot to the head.
Signs to look for after head trauma, according to a doctor
A month after Bob Saget was found dead in an Orlando hotel room, his family revealed that the late comedian died from an accidental head injury.
Will symptoms always show up right away after a head trauma?
After hitting your head, you may experience some initial symptoms such as a headache or confusion. These symptoms may soon subside, and you may think you are fine.
Candace Cameron Bure shares last text exchange with Bob Saget
Lindsay Lowe has been a regular contributor to TODAY.com since 2016, covering pop culture, style, home and other lifestyle topics. She is also working on her first novel, a domestic drama set in rural Regency England.
How to give first aid to a head trauma patient?
To give first aid to a person who has head trauma, call 911 or your local emergency number. Any of the following signs or symptoms may indicate a serious head injury:
What to do if you have a concussion and no breathing?
Watch for changes in breathing and alertness. If the person shows no signs of circulation — no breathing, coughing or movement — begin CPR. Head trauma that results in concussion symptoms, such as nausea, unsteadiness, headaches or difficulty concentrating, should be evaluated by a medical professional. Head injury.
How to keep someone from getting injured?
The injured person should lie down with the head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary, and avoid moving the person's neck. If the person is wearing a helmet, don't remove it.
How to tell if you have a swollen head?
Any of the signs or symptoms for adults. Persistent crying. Refusal to eat. Bulging in the soft spot on the front of the head ( infants) Repeated vomiting.
How to assess head injury?
One of the first ways your doctor will assess your head injury is with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The GCS is a 15-point test that assesses your mental status. A high GCS score indicates a less severe injury. Your doctor will need to know the circumstances of your injury.
What is a head injury?
A head injury is any sort of injury to your brain, skull, or scalp. This can range from a mild bump or bruise to a traumatic brain injury. Common head injuries include concussions, skull fractures, and scalp wounds. The consequences and treatments vary greatly, depending on what caused your head injury and how severe it is.
What is the cause of brain damage?
Hematoma. A hematoma is a collection, or clotting, of blood outside the blood vessels. It can be very serious if a hematoma occurs in the brain. The clotting can lead to pressure building up inside your skull. This can cause you to lose consciousness or result in permanent brain damage.
What is it called when you have a bleed in your brain?
There can be bleeding in the space around your brain, called subarachnoid hemorrhage, or bleeding within your brain tissue, called intracerebral hemorrhage.
Why does my skull swell?
Your skull can’t stretch to accommodate the swelling. This leads to pressure buildup in your brain, causing your brain to press against your skull.
Why do you need diuretics for brain injury?
You may be given diuretics if your injury has caused pressure buildup in your brain. Diuretics cause you to excrete more fluids. This can help relieve some of the pressure.
Why is it so hard to break a skull?
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. Learn more about skull fractures.
What is the best treatment for traumatic brain injury?
Diuretics. These drugs reduce the amount of fluid in tissues and increase urine output. Diuretics, given intravenously to people with traumatic brain injury, help reduce pressure inside the brain.
What is the first test performed in an emergency room for a suspected traumatic brain injury?
Imaging tests. Computerized tomography (CT) scan. This test is usually the first performed in an emergency room for a suspected traumatic brain injury. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed view of the brain.
What causes swelling in the skull?
Tissue swelling from a traumatic brain injury can increase pressure inside the skull and cause additional damage to the brain. Doctors may insert a probe through the skull to monitor this pressure.
Why is it important to have emergency surgery?
Emergency surgery may be needed to minimize additional damage to brain tissues. Surgery may be used to address the following problems: Removing clotted blood (hematomas). Bleeding outside or within the brain can result in a collection of clotted blood (hematoma) that puts pressure on the brain and damages brain tissue.
What is the goal of rehabilitation for a brain injury?
They may need to relearn basic skills, such as walking or talking. The goal is to improve their abilities to perform daily activities.
How to stop bleeding in brain?
Bleeding in the brain. Head injuries that cause bleeding in the brain may need surgery to stop the bleeding. Opening a window in the skull. Surgery may be used to relieve pressure inside the skull by draining accumulated cerebrospinal fluid or creating a window in the skull that provides more room for swollen tissues.
How many points does a brain injury test have?
This 15-point test helps a doctor or other emergency medical personnel assess the initial severity of a brain injury by checking a person's ability to follow directions and move their eyes and limbs. The coherence of speech also provides important clues.
What is the term for a head injury?
Trauma to the head can cause several types of head and brain injuries, also called traumatic brain injury ( TBI). Problems from head injury include:
What is the term for a brain injury that causes the head to move violently forward and back?
Acute subdural hematoma — In this injury, a blood vessel tears, and blood collects between the dura and the surface of the brain. This can happen when the head is hit or when a sudden stop causes the head to move violently forward and back (whiplash). Acute subdural hematoma develops rapidly, most commonly after serious head trauma caused by an assault, car accident or fall. It is a very severe brain injury that typically causes unconsciousness, and it is fatal in about 50% of cases.
What is it called when you have a bruise under your skull?
This is called a depressed skull fracture. In most cases, a skull fracture causes a bruise (contusion) on the surface of the brain under the fracture. Epidural hematoma — This is a very serious form of bleeding that happens when one of the blood vessels under the skull is torn during an injury.
What is subdural hematoma?
Acute subdural hematoma develops rapidly, most commonly after serious head trauma caused by an assault, car accident or fall. It is a very severe brain injury that typically causes unconsciousness, and it is fatal in about 50% of cases.
How long does it take for a subdural hematoma to develop?
Symptoms develop gradually over one to six weeks.
What is a fractured skull called?
Skull fracture — A skull fracture is a crack or break in one of the skull's bones. In some cases, the skull is dented inward so that fragments of shattered bone are pressed against the surface of the brain. This is called a depressed skull fracture.
What is it called when you lose consciousness after a brain injury?
Concussion — If there are any symptoms of confusion, memory impairment or loss of consciousness after traumatic brain injury, the injury is called a "concussion." Symptoms of a concussion can include not having memory of the minutes immediately before the injury, temporarily losing consciousness, or having vomiting, dizziness, coordination problems, confusion, ringing in the ears, sleepiness or seizures. Head trauma can cause swelling inside the brain and a potentially deadly increase in pressure inside the skull.
What is the best outcome for head trauma?
The best outcomes for head trauma occur when the injured patient arrives at the health care facility while they are still awake. Coma or unconsciousness is not a good sign. But even if everything is done right, the brain does not like being injured and may take a long time to return to normal function and potentially may not return to "normal." Accidents and injuries happen in life, and even with the most prompt and appropriate care, there is no guarantee for a perfect outcome.
What is the cause of epidural hematoma?
An epidural hematoma occurs when there is bleeding between the dura mater (a tough fibrous layer of tissue between the brain and skull) and the skull bone. These occur when arteries are torn as a result of a blow to the head, and injury in the temple area is a common cause. Although the pattern of a lucid interval followed by later neurological symptoms is characteristic, only a minority of patients display this pattern of symptoms. Reported death rates from epidural hematoma vary widely, ranging from 5% to over 40%, depending upon the patient population under study.
What type of injury does Natasha Richardson have?
There are a variety of types of head injuries, and the outcomes vary greatly. One type of brain injury is an epidural hematoma. The acclaimed actress Natasha Richardson suffered this type of hematoma after falling while skiing in Canada in 2009. Unfortunately, despite all of the emergency care Ms. Richardson's received, she did not survive.
Why is it so difficult to seek medical care?
It is difficult for the patient to know when to seek care because of confusion or amnesia as to the events surrounding the injury along with a lack of objectivity. That objectivity is tough even for parents or family members, and the decision to seek medical care is sometimes difficult to make. A guiding principle might be, regardless of age, if the injured patient isn't acting like themselves, then medical care is needed. And all bets are off if alcohol or other drugs are involved; medical care should be sought immediately.
Can a head injury cause swelling?
But for those few, where the head is hit in just the right place with just the right amount of force, the potential for swelling in the brain is real.
Can a CT scan show a brain injury?
The February 2009 edition of the Annals of Emergency Medicine contained an article that compared six different sets of guidelines. The conclusion was that each worked equally well in predicting who may or may not have bleeding in the brain. If the symptoms were not present, then it was safe to reassure the patient and family and let them go home. If symptoms were there, a CT scan was needed to look for brain damage.
