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A hard blow to the head can injure the brain or spinal cord even when there are no visible signs of trauma to the scalp or face. That’s why all head injuries are considered serious and should be assessed by your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department.

Always call 911 for an ambulance in an emergency. Head injuries can be classified as: – no visible signs of injury to the face or head. The soft, jelly-like brain is protected by the skull.

The brain doesn’t fill the skull entirely – it floats in a clear, nourishing liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid acts as a shock absorber, but its protective value is limited. The kinetic energy of a small knock to the head or face can be absorbed by the cerebrospinal fluid, but a hard impact can bruise the brain or tear blood vessels.

If this occurs, it may cause a rise in the intracranial pressure (pressure inside the skull) which may lead to permanent damage. Being able to see blood is not a reliable indicator of the seriousness of a head injury. Apart from wounds, other symptoms of serious head injury can include:

  • for example
  • the person may lose consciousness for short or longer periods or may be conscious again
  • but confused or drowsy

They may even have a brief seizure

They may also change by improving for a while and deteriorating again later. – a skull fracture, especially a fracture to the base of the skull, can allow cerebrospinal fluid to leak from the ears or nose. – this indicates that the force of the blow was sufficient to rupture blood vessels around the eyes and ears.

– the pupils of the eyes may be dilated (enlarged) and be different sizes in a person with a serious head injury. The person may complain of double or blurred vision. – these are common side effects of serious head injury and should always be considered important if they persist.

In cases where there is a serious head injury, always call 911 for an ambulance. Encourage the injured person to minimise any movement of their head or neck. Scalp injuries can bleed profusely, so control any significant blood loss from head wounds with direct pressure and a dressing.

While examining the wound, avoid disturbing blood clots forming in the hair. Reassure the person and try to keep them calm. The person should not be moved unless they are in immediate danger. Any unnecessary movement may cause greater complications to the head injury itself, the spine or other associated injuries.

A good rule is that if the head is injured, the neck may be injured too. Your role is to protect the injured person from any potential dangers at the scene. You should monitor their airway and breathing until the arrival of an ambulance.

If the person’s breathing becomes impaired due to a problem with their airway, you may need to very carefully tilt their head back (and support it) until normal breathing returns. may be required. that follows some trauma to the head.

It is a diagnosis made by a doctor when it is certain a more serious head injury has not occurred. Symptoms of concussion can persist for up to 3 months or longer after trauma. Your doctor or hospital will provide advice for you and your family regarding your ongoing care when being discharged for home.

Most importantly, be alert for symptoms over the first 3 days days, such as repeated vomiting, loss of coordination, bad or worsening , repetitive questions, agitation or drowsiness despite analgesia (pain-relieving medication).

Seek medical attention immediately

A person who has sustained a head injury may have also injured their spine. In elderly people, the force required to cause neck injuries is much less than in younger people. It can even occur from a standing height fall in the elderly.

Signs and symptoms of spinal injuries may include: inability to move limbs. In cases where there is a spinal injury, always call 911 for an ambulance.

It is important to keep the injured person’s head in line with their neck

Avoid twisting their head or allowing their head to roll to the side.

If you can, roll a t-shirt, towel or similar soft item and place it around their neck to remind them to keep their head straight. Don’t try to move them unless there is an urgent need to.

Toddlers fall over all the time

Parents should note that: A fall from the child’s own height usually isn’t enough to cause a serious head injury. The size of a bump on the head has no connection with the severity of injury. Minor head injuries, like a bump on the head, can be treated with cuddles and an age-appropriate dose of children’s pain-relieving syrup.

Medical attention should be sought immediately if the child shows any signs of serious head injury, particularly if: the child appeared to be unconscious or did not immediately cry after the fall. Examples of a heavy fall are:

  • a head strike on bedside furniture. If in doubt
  • see your doctor

, (24 hours, 7 days) Tel. Head injuries The brain Two types of head injury open – with bleeding wounds to the face or head closed Closed head injuries Symptoms of a head injury Altered consciousness Skull deformities – compressions or deformities are signs of fractures Clear fluid from the ears or nose Black eyes and bruised skin behind the ears Vision changes Nausea and vomiting First aid for head injury First aid when the injured person is conscious First aid when the injured person is unconscious If the person stops breathing or has no pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Treatment of concussion Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury headaches Spinal injuries body lying in an awkward, unnatural position skin feeling clammy and cool reporting unusual tingling sensations in the limbs or an absence of any sensation, including pain incontinence Spinal injury first aid Toddlers and head injuries they are unusually drowsy or vomiting you think the fall was heavy enough to have caused harm falling down multiple stairs rolling from a normal height change table to a hard floor falling from a bed to a hard surface Where to get help In an emergency, always call 911 Your GP (doctor) Hospital emergency department Maternal and Child Health Line 13 22 29.

Key Points

  • – these are common side effects of serious head injury and should always be considered important if they persist
  • Symptoms of concussion can persist for up to 3 months or longer after trauma
  • In elderly people, the force required to cause neck injuries is much less than in younger people
  • Signs and symptoms of spinal injuries may include: inability to move limbs
  • important to keep the injured person’s head in line with their neck