Service Details

Head Injury

A head injury is any trauma to the head, including the scalp, skull, brain, or other tissue and blood vessels. Head injuries can be closed or open, and can range from mild to severe: 

• Closed head injury: A hard blow to the head that doesn't break the skull 
• Open head injury: An object breaks the skull and enters the brain 
• Mild head injury: A bump, bruise, or cut on the head 
• Severe head injury: A broken skull, internal bleeding, or damage to the brain

Symptoms

• Physical symptoms

A raised bump or bruise, a cut on the scalp, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, or loss of balance 

• Cognitive symptoms

Confusion, disorientation, difficulty concentrating or remembering, or changes in sleep patterns 

• Emotional symptoms

Irritability, frustration, depression, anxiety, or mood swings 

• Other symptoms

Sensitivity to light or sound, ringing in the ears, or an unexplained bad taste in the mouth 

Some symptoms may not appear right away, and symptoms can change during recovery. Seek immediate medical attention if the person experiences any of the following symptoms, especially within the first 24 hours after an injury:

• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures or convulsions
• Unequal pupil size
• Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
• Slurred speech
• Weakness in the arms, legs, or face