Self Care Articles

Is this your symptom?

• Injuries to the head (scalp, skull and brain)

Types of Head Injuries

• Scalp Injury. Most head injuries only damage the scalp. Examples are a cut, scrape, bruise or swelling. Big lumps and bruises can occur with minor injuries. This is because there is a large blood supply to the scalp. For the same reason, small cuts on the head may bleed a lot. Bruises on the forehead sometimes cause black eyes 1 to 3 days later. This is from blood spreading downward by gravity.
• Skull Fracture (serious). Not all people with head injuries will have a skull fracture. Often, the only symptom is a headache. The headache occurs at the site where the head was hit. Most skull fractures occur without any injury to the brain. They heal easily. Other fractures are more severe and involve injury to the brain or the blood vessels on the surface of the brain. Blood clots that form due to brain injury may need surgery to release the pressure they cause. Fractures in the base of the skull can be difficult to spot. Signs include a watery or bloody discharge from the nose or ears, bruising around both eyes and/or bruising behind the ears. If this type of fracture is not found and treated, it can lead to later problems, such as infection, epilepsy and/or brain damage. If a head injury has resulted in a possible fracture, a CT scan is often needed.
• Concussion is a type of brain injury. It causes a change in how the brain works for a short time. It is often caused by a sudden blow to the head. The most common signs are a brief period of confusion or memory loss after the injury. Other signs can include a headache, vomiting, dizziness or acting dazed. A person does not need to be knocked out to have had a concussion. Following a concussion, some people have ongoing symptoms. These can include headaches, dizziness, thinking problems or emotional changes. These symptoms can last for several weeks.
• Brain Injuries (serious) are uncommon. This includes bleeding, bruises or swelling within the brain. They are a concern if you have the symptoms listed below:
  • Hard to wake up or keep awake or
  • Acts or talks confused or
  • Slurred speech or
  • Weakness of arms or legs or
  • Walking is not steady
  • Increasing headache
  • Persistent vomiting
• These symptoms are an emergency. If they happen, call 911.
• Neck Injury (serious). Any head injury also has the risk of a neck injury. These can range from a mild sprain to a fracture or dislocation of the neck vertebrae. After a head injury, it is very important that the neck is also checked for injury. The risk is higher if the person was knocked out or if there is neck pain. Do not attempt to move the head or neck and tell the injured person not to move it. If there is any doubt, keep them still until help arrives.

Concussion Treatment

• Treating a concussion needs both Physical Rest and Brain Rest.
• Brain Rest means a stepwise return to full work and mental activity.
• Physical Rest means a stepwise return to normal activity, work and exercise or sports.
• If symptoms occur (like a headache), the person needs to return to the previous level of physical and mental activity. In 24 hours, they can try again to take it to the next level.
• Athletes involved in sports need to have a stepwise plan for "return to play." Progressing through steps should be supervised by a doctor or athletic trainer.

Pain Scale

• Mild: you feel some pain, but it does not keep you from your normal activities. Work, activities and sleep are not changed.
• Moderate: the pain keeps you from doing some normal activities. It may wake you up from sleep.
• Severe: the pain is very bad. It keeps you from doing all normal activities.