Head injuries can be anything from mild bumps and bruises to more life-threatening conditions like a hematoma. Identifying the cause and severity of your head issue is vital when determining whether or not it’s time to seek medical attention. Also, knowing how to treat specific injuries, such as a concussion, can help you avoid worsening issues while you seek proper medical attention.
What is considered a head injury?
The definition of head injury covers a broad range of conditions. An injury to the head can be any damage to any part of the head, including the scalp, brain, skull, blood vessels, and tissue. You may also see head injuries referred to as a brain injury or traumatic brain injury(TBI), depending on the severity.
Types of head injuries
Although it may be difficult to determine what type of head injury you are suffering from, knowing what types of head injuries can occur may help you determine the type of treatment you need. Some of the most common, more serious, head and brain injuries include:
- Hematoma – When blood begins to collect inside the skull on the surface of the brain, it’s called the subdural hematoma. This can lead to pressure on the brain and a loss of consciousness. This TBI can sometimes result in permanent brain damage.
- Hemorrhage – A hemorrhage can occur anywhere in the body, but a brain hemorrhage is when there is bleeding around the brain(subarachnoid) or bleeding in the brain(intracerebral).
- Concussion – This is a common type of head injury that can be caused by a blow to the head that damages the brain. The actual injury occurs when the brain slams against the skull. A concussion usually heals without permanent damage, but excessive concussions can lead to more serious issues.
- Edema – This is the swelling of the brain tissue that can be caused by any type of brain injury. This leads to the brain pushing up against the skull.
- Skull Fracture – A skull fracture is when the skull is broken or cracked. The skull doesn’t have bone marrow which means that it’s very hard, but it also means that brain injuries can likely occur during a skull fracture.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury – This is an injury to the brain that doesn’t cause bleeding. The damage is usually to the cells of the brain and can be dangerous because this type of injury isn’t as obvious as other injuries. It can lead to long-term brain damage if not discovered quickly.
How are head injuries treated?
No head or brain injury should be ignored, and if you’ve suffered a head injury, you should seek medical attention. If you feel confused, disoriented, or lose consciousness during your head accident, you should seek help immediately.
When it comes to treating a head injury, it really depends on the injury itself. Minor injuries like cuts, bumps, and bruises can be treated with pain medication as directed by your doctor. However, major head injuries will need to be diagnosed using various tests that may include a ct scan or other tests.
Treatments for significant head injuries can include medications, surgeries, or rehab. Ultimately, your doctor will determine the treatment, and you may need to be hospitalized for some time.
If you have suffered trauma to the head, it is important to assess the situation immediately and, if serious, you must contact 911 or go to the emergency room. On the other hand, if you determine the injury is minor, it is important to keep an eye on your symptoms and seek care if they worsen.
For all of your emergent and non-emergent needs, consider visiting Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care. As one of the only health systems in Hamilton County providing transparency in pricing and quality care, patients are only billed for the level of care they receive by a highly trained ER-staff. With no appointments needed, Riverview’s ER is open 24-hours a day, year-round and the urgent care clinic is available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
