Head injuries most commonly originate from motor vehicle accidents, physical altercations, sports-related accidents, and, above all, falls. These incidents can cut your skin, impact your skull, and even shake you enough to cause a concussion or other traumatic brain injury (TBI).
TBIs can range from mild to severe and should be addressed immediately. When minutes matter most after a head injury occurs, get to your nearest Urgency Room to be seen in minutes instead of hours.
Common Types of Head Injuries
Head injuries range from wounds to your scalp, fractures to your skull or face, swelling, bruising, and more. They happen frequently, and without medical attention, death or permanent disability could be the tragic result.
Each year in the United States, approximately one million people are treated and released from emergency departments due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). An additional 230,000 are hospitalized and survive, while around 80,000 are discharged with some form of TBI-related disability. Tragically, an estimated 50,000 people die each year as a result of a TBI.
The causes of traumatic brain injuries fall into the following categories:
- 47%: Falls
- 15%: Head struck by/against
- 15%: Unknown/Other
- 14%: Motor Vehicle / Traffic
- 9%: Assault
The truth is that everyone is at risk for a traumatic brain injury or wound. Like any accident, they happen when you least expect them. However, the majority of TBIs happen due to falls by children aged 0 to 4 years or adults older than 65 years old.
This could be due to instability and the heightened likelihood of falling. Whatever the cause, getting assessed and treated by a physician is crucial to a healthy and speedy recovery. Undiagnosed or untreated head injuries could prolong recovery significantly.
What to Do After a Head Injury
Cutting your head or scalp can be a scary and overwhelming event due to how badly these cuts may bleed. Because of the incredible number of blood vessels situated around the face and scalp, heavy bleeding could occur even from minor cuts or scrapes.
If this happens, though, just remember to remain calm.
Here are some additional steps to ensure your safety:
- Locate the injury and assess the severity.
- Focus on stopping the bleeding–if there is bleeding.
- Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention if you feel:
- Lightheaded
- Dizzy
- Drifting in and out of consciousness
- Weak or not alert (you may be losing too much blood)
- Treat mild bleeding by:
- Checking and removing any debris
- Applying firm and even pressure for 15 minutes
If blood starts soaking through your first cloth or piece of gauze, don’t remove it as you risk removing any clotting blood that has formed. Instead, simply place another piece of gauze or cloth over it while continuing to apply pressure.
If bleeding has subsided or not–and you feel alert, consider going to your physician as soon as you can anyway. The impact from getting struck on the scalp or face could have been enough to cause a mild traumatic brain injury.
What should you NOT do after a head injury?
Avoid drinking alcohol, engaging in contact sports, or performing any high-risk activities until you’ve been cleared by a medical professional. These actions can significantly increase your risk of complications, especially if you’ve sustained a concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury.
You should also not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions if you’re experiencing symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or memory problems.
What is the 24-hour protocol for head injury?
The first 24 to 48 hours after a head injury are critical. It’s essential to rest and be monitored closely by a responsible adult. Avoid screens and mentally taxing tasks. If you begin to lose consciousness, vomit repeatedly, develop a severe headache, or exhibit unusual behavior, seek emergency medical care immediately. These signs could indicate a more serious TBI.
Symptoms of a Concussion
When you get a concussion, you may be experiencing an altered mental state, confusion, and disruption to the normal functioning of the brain. Multiple concussions can have prolonged or lifelong detrimental effects. When you get shaken, get hit, or experience a hard fall, you could have a concussion.
Symptoms for a concussion, from mild to severe, could include:
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Headache
- Memory loss
- Loss of coordination and/or balance
- Sleepiness
- Slurred speech
- Nausea and vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Sensitivity to light and noise
After experiencing a hard hit or fall, or any blow to the head, getting to the Urgency Room could be the quickest way for your concussion to be assessed, diagnosed, and treated. Our comprehensive state-of-the-art standalone facilities are fully equipped with the machines necessary to see the extent of your injury.
Our X-ray machines and CT scanners can determine if you’ve also endured a fracture during your accident.
The Urgency Room Can Help When Your Head Hurts
When it comes to your head, don’t take chances. Whether you bump your head during your fall pickup football game or a rogue icicle falls while you’re under it, we’re here for you. Instead of spending hours waiting to be seen by an ER doctor, you can be seen immediately for head injuries. If you don’t need immediate care, schedule an appointment now with same-day options available. .