Head Injury: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Contents

In this article we will look at:

• What is a Head Injury?
• How Does Head Injury Occur?
• Who is Prone to Head Injuries?
• What are the Symptoms of Head Injury? How is Head Injury Diagnosed?
• Diagnosis 
• What are the Complications of Head Injuries?
• What is the Treatment for Head Injury?
• Home Remedies for Head Injury

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What is a Head Injury?

A head injury is defined as an injury to the head area including the brain, scalp, or the skull. The severity of the head injuries could range from a minor bump to bruises and even major traumatic brain injuries. Some of the common forms of head injuries include skull fractures, concussions, scalp wounds, and others. The consequences and the overall treatments for the head injuries might vary depending on the severity, head injury symptoms, and the cause of the head injury. 

Head injuries could be either closed or open. Typically, a closed head injury is the one that does not break the skull. On the other hand, an open or penetrating head injury is the one that breaks through the scalp & skull to enter the brain. 

How Does Head Injury Occur?

Generally, the head injuries could be divided into two categories depending on the causes. They could be head injuries either due to strong blows on the head or skull or due to the head shaking.

The head injuries that are caused by shaking are most commonly found in cases of small children and infants. However, these types of head injuries could also occur anytime you might experience strong, violent shaking. 

The head injuries that are caused due to some blow on the head might usually be associated with the following:

• Physical assaults
• Automobile accidents
• Sports-related accidents
• Major falls

In most cases of head injuries, the skull is responsible for protecting the brain from any significant harm. However, in cases of severe head injuries, the effects could be related to spinal injury as well. 

Who is Prone to Head Injuries?

Anyone could be prone to head injuries. As head injuries are mostly the result of some accidental falling or blow on the head, it could happen to any individual. Usually, the head injuries associated with head shaking commonly occur in small children and infants. 

What are the Symptoms of Head Injury? How is Head Injury Diagnosed?

The head injury symptoms might vary depending on the cause and severity of the head injury. The head tends to have more blood vessels in comparison to the other parts of the body. Therefore, bleeding that occurs on the surface of the brain or inside the brain can be extremely harmful in cases of head injuries. However, not all head injury symptoms lead to bleeding. 

Before looking out for the potential remedies or treatments for head injuries, it is important to be aware of the head injury symptoms in the first place. Most of the head injury symptoms in cases of serious brain injury might not even reflect immediately. 

Some of the common head injury symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Lightheadedness
• A mild or a severe headache
• The sensation of head spinning
• Moderate confusion
• Temporary sensation of the ears ringing

The symptoms of the head injury might also vary depending on the severity of the injury. In some extreme cases, these might include:

• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Loss of the muscle control
• Loss of consciousness
• Major disorientation
• Memory loss

Depending on the severity and cause of head injury, the head injuries can be categorized into different types including the following:

• Hematoma: This refers to the clotting or collection of blood outside the blood vessels. It could be a serious condition if hematoma occurs in the brain. 

• Hemorrhage: This refers to uncontrolled bleeding. The bleeding that occurs in the void around the brain is referred to as “subarachnoid hemorrhage” while the bleeding occurring within the brain tissues is called “intracerebral hemorrhage.” 

• Concussion: It occurs when the blow on the head is severe enough to lead to brain injury.

• Edema: A brain injury leading to swelling is referred to as “edema.” 

• Skull Fracture: A broken skull or skull fracture occurs when the skull is not able to bear the impact of the blow causing damage to the brain.

Diagnosis 

One of the initial ways of diagnosing a head injury is through the process of GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale). This tool helps in assessing the mental status of an individual. The higher score of the GCS indicates lesser severe head injury. 

Additionally, the doctor might also examine the signs of brain trauma including swelling, bleeding, and bruising. Imaging tests are also conducted to detect head injuries. 

What are the Complications of Head Injuries?

Some of the complications include:

• Loss of memory
• Seizures
• Skull fractures or nerve injuries
• A persistent headache
• Dizziness

What is the Treatment for Head Injury?

The treatment for the head injury would depend on the type & severity of the head injury. In cases of minor head injuries, the patient might be asked to take some prescribed painkiller by the physician. In cases of major head injuries, the patient might be hospitalized. The treatment received would depend on the diagnosis of the head injury. 

Home Remedies for Head Injury

Some of the home remedies in case of head injury might include meditation, first-aid treatment, painkillers, and ice massage.