Head Injury

You should always keep a close eye on anyone who has had a head injury. Even if the person seems okay, they could develop complications later.

Rush to nearby hospital if :

• the head injury involved high speeds or a fall from more than one metre
• there is something stuck in the head
• there is bleeding that is difficult to stop
• the person loses consciousness or seems drowsy or does not respond
• the person is dazed or shocked, confused, disorientated
• the person seems unwell and vomits more than once after hitting their head
• there is severe bleeding from the head or face
• blood or fluid is leaking from the nose or ears
• the person has blurred vision or unequally sized pupils
• the person has weakness in an arm or leg
• the person has a seizure (fit)
• the person stops breathing

Bruising or bumps on the head, nausea, a light headache, and vertigo are all signs of a minor head injury. It might indicate a slight head injury if the person is now alert, engages in conversation with you, and generally appears normal.

Later symptoms of a more severe head injury may appear. Immediately visit the emergency room if the person has a head injury and:

has difficulty speaking, hearing, or seeing clearly; has a headache that is growing worse or that paracetamol cannot relieve; frequently vomits;
has trouble staying awake, is confused or acting strangely, has pupils that are various sizes, loses balance easily, feels dizzy, loses memory, has bleeding or discharge from the ears,

The most common causes of serious head injuries are:

• car accidents
• sports injuries
• accidents at home, such as slips, falls or trips
• accidents at work, such as falls or being hit on the head
• assaults
• falls

Minor head injuries can be treated at home by using an icepack while remaining still. You require a companion to keep an eye on you continuously for 24 hours (or 48 hours for children or older people). Paracetamol is permitted but not other painkillers.

It's not necessary to stay awake after a head injury. Every four hours, the injured individual needs to be gently roused to ensure normal response. They should visit the closest emergency room if they don't.

The most crucial treatment for a brain injury is total physical and mental rest. For at least 24 to 48 hours, refrain from using computer screens, playing video games, working, or studying. Sports should not be played.

After suffering a head injury, wait at least 24 hours before operating machinery or driving. You'll feel considerably worse if you consume drink, take sleeping aids, or use narcotics.
If the patient is in a critical condition, get in touch with Healer's Hospital.