Head Injury – Causes of Head Injuries, Symptoms and Emergency Room Treatment

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Head injuries are trauma to the brain, scalp, or skull. They are dangerous and can lead to disability, mental impairment or death. The severity of a head injury can range from a small bump on the head to a serious injury that damages the brain.

Open head injuries occur when something penetrates the skull and brain, while closed head injuries occur when something hits the head. Examples of head injuries include Concussion, Skull Fracture and Scalp Wound.

Head injuries can range widely in severity and repercussions. If you suspect a serious head injury, visit us at SignatureCare Emergency Center. Our ER doctors are board-certified and available 24 hours a day.

Our facilities are equipped to handle all head traumas or injuries.

Causes of Head Injuries

Sports – Many athletes who are involved in sports suffer from Concussion which is the result of the brain hitting the skull after a fall or collision. Sports Concussions can be very serious and result in head injury emergency. If a person suffers from multiple concussions during his their lifetime, his or her brain may be permanently damaged.

Falls – If a person falls and hits their head, it causes a head injury. The fall may only cause a small bump or bruise on the head, but it may also cause significant damage. In severe cases, the skull may be cracked or the brain may be bruised.

Automobile Accidents – Automobile accidents may cause head injuries, especially if the driver or passenger is ejected from the car. If the person goes through the windshield, the glass may penetrate the skull and damage the brain. If the impact causes the person to hit the dashboard or the seat in front of them, they may suffer from a concussion or other head injuries.

Physical Assault – Physical fights can cause serious head injuries, especially if the head is repeatedly kicked, punched or hit with blunt objects.

Symptoms of Head Injuries

Your head has more blood vessels than any other part of the body. Most head injuries or traumas could result in bleeding on the surface of the brain or within the brain. This is a major concern for head injury patients.

If you believe you have suffered severe head injury, it is important to know the symptoms to look for. The symptoms may not appear immediately and it is important to continue monitoring yourself after suffering a head injury.

Below are common symptoms of head injuries.

1. Headache
2. Lightheadedness
3. Spinning sensation
4. Confusion
5. Nausea
6. Ringing in the ears
7. Loss of consciousness
8. Seizures
9. Vomiting
10. Balance or coordination problems
11. Disorientation
12. Inability to focus on things
13. Memory loss
14. Mood change
15. Loss of muscle control

When to Seek Emergency Room Treatment for Head Injuries

Some head injuries do not require medical treatment, but others can be serious, even if there is no visible evidence of the injury. If you suspect your head injury may have more serious underlying symptoms, visit a nearby SignatureCare Emergency Center ER immediately.

Be on the Look out for the following signs and visit the ER immediately if you notice any of them:

1. You become very tired or sleepy after receiving the head injury
2. The head is bleeding profusely
3. You are not able to move your arms or legs
4. Your pupils are not the same size
5. You have a stiff neck or a severe headache
6. You begin vomiting
7. Your speech becomes slurred
8. You become easily confused
9. A child who has received a head injury does not want to eat
10. An infant has a bulging soft spot on the head after being injured

Minor head injuries may go away without medical intervention, but moderate to severe injuries need to be treated by a doctor to minimize damage to the brain. If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury, visit a nearby emergency room today. Schedule an emergency room appointment with us.