Head injury

A head injury is any trauma that injures the scalp, skull, or brain. The injury may be only a minor bump on the skull or a serious brain injury.
Head injuries include:

·         Concussion, the most common type of traumatic brain injury, in which the brain is shaken

·         Scalp wounds

·         Skull fractures

Head injuries may cause bleeding:

·         In the brain tissue

·         In the layers that surround the brain

Causes

·         Accidents at home, work, outdoors, or while playing sports

·         Falls

·         Physical assault

·         Traffic accidents

Symptoms

The symptoms of a head injury can occur right away, or develop slowly over several hours or days. Even if the skull is not fractured, the brain can bang against the inside of the skull and be bruised. The head may look fine, but problems could result from bleeding or swelling inside the skull.
In any serious head trauma, the spinal cord is also likely to be injured.
Some head injuries cause changes in brain function. This is called a traumatic brain injury. Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. Symptoms of a concussion can range from mild to severe. 

First Aid

Learning to recognize a serious head injury and give basic first aid can save someone's life.
Get medical help right away if the person:

·         Becomes very drowsy

·         Behaves abnormally

·         Develops a severe headache or stiff neck

·         Loses consciousness, even briefly

·         Vomits more than once

For a mild head injury, no treatment may be needed. However, the symptoms of a serious head injury can show up later. As a result:

·         Friends or family may need to watch adults who have been injured after they are released from the emergency room or office.

·         Parents or caregivers of children will need to learn how to watch the child after a head injury, and know when the child can go back to being active and taking part in sports.

DO NOT

·         Do NOT wash a head wound that is deep or bleeding a lot.

·         Do NOT remove any object sticking out of a wound.

·         Do NOT move the person unless absolutely necessary.

·         Do NOT shake the person if he or she seems dazed.

·         Do NOT remove a helmet if you suspect a serious head injury.

·         Do NOT pick up a fallen child with any sign of head injury.

·         Do NOT drink alcohol within 48 hours of a serious head injury.

When to see a doctor

·         There is severe head or face bleeding

·         The person is confused, tired, or unconscious

·         The person stops breathing

·         You suspect a serious head or neck injury, or the person develops any signs or symptoms of a serious head injury

Prevention

·         Always use safety equipment during activities that could cause a head injury. These include seat belts, bicycle or motorcycle helmets, and hard hats.

·         Learn and follow bicycle safety recommendations.

·         Do NOT drink and drive, and do NOT allow yourself to be driven by someone who you know or suspect has been drinking alcohol or is impaired in another way.