Causes of Head Injury

Head injury most commonly occurs due to a blow to the head or due to shaking (especially in infants). The major causes of blow to the head include the following:

· Accidents

· Fall from height

· Hit with an object

· Hitting the ground

· Physical assault

· Sports injury

 

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Symptoms of Head Injury

Common symptoms of head injury include:

· Severe pain, swelling and bruising at the site of injury, under the eyes, or behind the ears

· Bleeding near the location of the trauma, or around the eyes, ears, and nose

· Stiffness of neck

· Headache

· Convulsions

· Drowsiness & fainting

· Confusion

· Visual disturbances

· Nausea and Vomiting

· Loss of consciousness

· Seizures

· Restlessness & irritability

· Drainage of clear or bloody fluid from ears or nose

· Difficulties with balance

· Changes in pupils

· Temporary ringing in the ears

· Serious disorientation

· Memory loss

 

Diagnosis of Head Injury

In some cases, a doctor may be able to diagnose head injury on physical and neurological examination of the patient. But to diagnose the extent and exact nature of the injury, following diagnostic tests are performed:

· X-rays

· Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs)

· Computerized tomography scan (CT or CAT scan)

 

Treatments :

· Counseling for emotional support. Many individuals experience stress and worries about their recovery. They may find that it is more difficult to get back to their work and hobbies than anticipated. Therefore, counseling is often very helpful in conjunction with other medical treatments.

· Surgery to treat bleeding in the brain (intracranial hemorrhage) or reduce pressure from brain swelling.

· Rehabilitation, including physical, occupational and speech therapy.

· Rest. Talk to your doctor about how long to rest after a TBI. Depending on the type of TBI, some may need to rest for 1 to 2 days before going back to their typical activities. More severe head injuries may require longer periods of rest.

· Return to typical activities. For milder head injuries, sometimes if people rest for too long after their head injury, they may have more difficulty returning to work, school, and other activities like socializing and hobbies. For more severe injuries, returning to activities too soon can make symptoms worse. Talk to your doctor for specific recommendations.

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