Common Types of Head Injuries and When to Seek Medical Attention

While some head injuries can cause minor bumps or bruises, some can cause major problems like internal bleeding, brain swelling or long-term cognitive impairment.

Preventing such consequences requires knowledge of the many kinds of brain injuries, their symptoms and when to seek medical help.

In this guide, we'll discuss the common injury types, symptoms, how to spot the symptoms of a severe brain injury and what to do to get help right away.

Head injuries typically occur due to :

• Slipping on uneven surfaces or falling from heights, particularly in young children and the elderly
• One of the biggest causes of traumatic brain injuries is still vehicle accidents, particularly those involving cars, motorcycles and bicycles.
• Sports injuries are prevalent, particularly in contact sports like hockey, football and boxing, where recurrent head injuries are common.
• Blunt force trauma or physical attacks, which frequently happen during violent incidents or unintentional head injuries
• Workers in high-risk workplaces and military personnel frequently face explosions or abrupt shockwaves.
• Workplace injuries in manufacturing, construction and industrial environments where accidents involving falling objects or machines present a risk.

This is the accumulation of blood outside of blood arteries that frequently forms a clot, which is called a hematoma. Increased pressure that may result in unconsciousness, neurological disability or irreversible damage can happen inside the brain or between the brain and the skull. If hematomas are not treated right away, they may become fatal.

Uncontrolled bleeding in the brain is referred to as hemorrhage. There are actually two common kinds, as follows :

Intracerebral hemorrhage : This type of bleeding happens inside the brain tissue, causing localized harm and perhaps impairing cognitive function.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage : This type of bleeding occurs in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that surround it. It frequently causes vomiting, excruciating migraines and abrupt neurological decline.

A minor traumatic brain injury (TBI) that momentarily impairs brain function is called a concussion. It may result in memory loss, nausea, dizziness, confusion and trouble focusing. Recurrent concussions can cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain illness that impairs cognitive and emotional functioning, even though the majority of injuries heal with rest.

When fluid accumulates, the intracranial pressure rises, causing brain swelling. Due to oxygen depletion and reduced blood flow, it can cause serious harm if left untreated. Over time, this illness may develop and necessitate prompt medical attention.

Since the skull lacks bone marrow, it is more resilient to fracture than other bones. On the other hand, a significant impact may result in fractures of the skull, raising the possibility of infections, brain injury and possible leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Open fractures necessitate surgery and present increased infection risks.

A severe kind of head injury known as DAI happens when the brain quickly moves inside the skull, rupturing nerve fibers. Coma, long-term neurological damage and irreversible disability are common outcomes of this injury.

Symptoms can be generally divided into two major types :

• Mild headache
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Slight nausea
• Temporary confusion
• Minor cuts or bruises
• Brief ringing in the ears
• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Persistent headache that worsens over time
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Slurred speech or difficulty understanding language
• Loss of consciousness for an extended period
• Seizures or convulsions
• Weakness in arms or legs
• Unequal pupil size, indicating potential brain pressure
• Behavioral or mood changes, such as irritability or depression
• Difficulty waking up or staying alert
• Memory loss or cognitive impairment

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's always better to reach out to a reliable medical center.

To diagnose head injuries, doctors employ a variety of techniques :

• Physical examination : Evaluating neurological health by testing reflexes, coordination and cognitive abilities.
• Imaging Tests : CT and MRI scans are useful for identifying brain tissue damage, fractures, bleeding and edema.
• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) : GCS is a grading system that evaluates linguistic skills, motor function and responsiveness to determine the extent of brain damage.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) : Used to assess aberrant brain activity in seizure patients.

The severity of a brain injury determines how it should be treated and generally falls under the categories below :

Drugs

• Painkillers : To treat mild discomfort and headaches.
• Anti-seizure medications : To stop seizures in cases of serious brain damage.
• Diuretics : To minimize swelling in the brain by removing more fluid.
• Blood pressure drugs : To stabilize circulation and avoid further brain injury.
• Antibiotics : To stop infections when a skull fracture is open.

Rehabilitation may be required for moderate to severe head injuries and this includes:

• Physical therapy : To improve coordination, balance and mobility.
• Speech therapy : For people whose brain trauma has affected their ability to speak and communicate.
• Occupational therapy : To assist in regaining everyday abilities and adjusting to physical constraints.
• Cognitive therapy : To enhance one's capacity for memory, focus and problem- solving.
• Psychological assistance and counseling : To control behavioral and emotional shifts, such as those caused by PTSD, sadness or anxiety.

Prevention is always better than cure. So, to lower the possibility of brain damage, you can consider the following :

• When riding a motorcycle or a bicycle or participating in high-impact sports, wear a helmet.
• To lower the chance of suffering serious harm in an accident, seat belts should always be used in cars.
• Make sure that dwellings are equipped with safety elements, including childproofing, non-slip flooring and railings.
• Steer clear of physical altercations that might cause brain damage.
• Observe occupational safety protocols, particularly in dangerous settings and wear protective equipment as necessary.
• To lower the chance of injuries, teach kids and senior citizens fall prevention techniques.

A small head injury might only hurt for a short time. However, get medical help right away if you have ongoing headaches, disorientation, nausea or unconsciousness. A medical professional should assess any head injury that results in changes to speech, motor abilities or cognitive function.

Seek medical help,

• If the individual has trouble waking up or is unconscious.
• Clear fluid leaking from the ears or nose could be a sign of cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
• If the person displays odd conduct, severe disorientation or mood fluctuations.
• If they suffer from dizziness, a bad headache or frequent vomiting.
• If a head injury is followed by convulsions or seizures.
• If there is visible skull damage, such as an open wound or deformity.

It's important to never treat head injuries lightly.

Moderate to severe injuries necessitate immediate medical attention, whereas minor injuries may heal with rest and pain management.

Early symptom recognition and prompt medical attention can reduce problems and improve your recovery results.

Get in touch with a medical expert right away if you think you may have suffered a significant head injury to avoid potentially serious consequences!