| General Illness Information |
Common Name: |
Head
Injury |
|
Medical Term:
|
None
Specified |
| Description: |
Injury to the head, with or without
unconsciousness or other visible signs. Head wound may be
"open" or "closed" depending on the nature of
the injury.
|
| Causes: |
Trauma to the head.
|
| Prevention: |
|
* Wear protective
headgear for contact sports and cycling.
|
|
* Use your auto seat
belt always. Place young children in approved safety car
seats.
|
|
| Signs
& Symptoms |
 |
|
* Loss of
consciousness either temporarily or for long periods.
|
|
* Drowsiness or
confusion.
|
|
* Vomiting and
nausea.
|
|
* Blurred vision.
|
|
* Amnesia or
memory lapses.
|
|
* Irritability.
|
|
* Headache.
|
|
* Pupils of
different sizes.
|
|
|
| Risk Factors |
|
|
* Excess alcohol
consumption.
|
|
* Contact sports,
especially football or boxing.
|
|
* Improper
protection e.g.. riding a bicycle without a helmet.
|
|
|
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
|
* Hospitalization
for observation, if signs and symptoms are severe.
|
|
* Diagnostic tests
may include laboratory studies of blood and
cerebrospinal fluid, X-rays of the skull and neck and
CT scan of the head, and MRI studies. If any
correctable lesion is found, surgery is indicated.
|
|
* The extent of
injury can be determined only with careful examination
and observation. After a doctor's examination, the
injured person may be sent home, but a responsible
person must stay with the person and watch for serious
symptoms. The first 24 hours after injury are
critical, although serious after-effects can appear
later.
|
|
| General
Measures: |
|
Don't give any medication including
non-prescription acetaminophen or aspirin until the
diagnosis is certain |
|
For patients who are not hospitalized, a
head injury routine may be advised. |
|
| Medications: |
|
No medications should be given
unless on the direction of a physician. |
|
| Activity: |
|
The patient should rest in bed until the danger
is over. Normal activity may then be resumed as symptoms
improve. |
|
| Diet: |
|
The patient should not be given
anything by mouth until examinations and appropriate tests
are performed, and the physician is satisfied that there is
no risk of aspiration. |
|
If the patient is discharged
from medical care, physician's instructions should be
followed. |
|
| Possible
Complications : |
|
|
* Bleeding under
the skull (subdural hemorrhage and hematoma).
|
|
* Bleeding into
the brain.
|
These are very serious complications, and
demand immediate intervention. |
|
| Prognosis |
| Usually curable with early recognition of danger
signs and medical treatment.
Complications can be life-threatening or
cause permanent disability.
|
|