Getting injured is a common occurrence, but head injuries are not always harmless. Many cases related to death and disability in the United States occur due to head injuries. Since there is a risk of developing complications, medical professionals suggest that a head injury must always be taken seriously.
What Is a Head Injury?
A head injury is an all-encompassing term for any sort of trauma that arises due to an injury that affects the scalp, skull or brain. The injury can range from a seemingly harmless bump to a deep cut, open wound or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Depending on the severity of the injury and what caused it, the repercussions and the course of treatment can vary greatly.
Causes of a Head Injury
Typically, a head injury can occur due to either a serious blow to the head or shaking. Infants and small children are more prone to head injuries due to shaking, but adults are also at risk when they experience high-intensity shaking.
Head injuries inflicted from an external blow to the head can result from events such as road accidents, trips and falls, physical assault or sports-related accidents. The strong structure of the skull can usually shield your brain from any harm, but an intense blow can damage the skull and affect the brain.
Symptoms of a Serious Head Injury
Since head injuries can be internal or external, the seriousness of a head injury is not comprehensible just by looking. An injured person can experience excessive bleeding even in a minor head injury, whereas the most threatening head injuries may not show any signs of external bleeding. However, not all head injuries bleed. Complications may also arise either immediately or in due course after a head injury.
It is important to watch out for symptoms that may arise after a head injury. Some telltale signs of a minor head injury are:
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness or spinning sensation
- Confusion or weakened cognitive functions
- Nausea
- Ringing in the ear
Some of the symptoms that are associated with serious head injuries are the same as the ones associated with a minor head injury. However, other symptoms include:
- A loss of consciousness, either immediately or sometime after a head injury
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Inability to maintain balance or muscle coordination
- A feeling of disorientation, confusion, and other neuropsychological problems
- Difficulty in focusing the eyes
- Impaired eye movements
- Severe headaches
- Loss of memory
- Frequent mood swings
- Ringing in the ear or discharge of fluid from the ear or nose
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sensitivity to sound, light or any other element
Children or young babies are also prone to complications such as a concussion after a head injury. The symptoms include:
- Excessive crying
- Loss of interest in their favorite activities or any behavioral changes
- Vomiting
- Balance problems
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Change in sleep patterns
- Difficulty sleeping
Have you or a loved one recently suffered a head injury? Turn to our dedicated members of TriMunity for inspiration and support. We will use our resources and knowledge to help you move forward in life. Call us at (844) 838-2900.
