Head Injuries & Concussions
The majority of head injuries cannot be seen without specialized equipment at a hospital
Concussions
Long-term effects of concussions can cause brain damage, paralysis, seizures, headaches, and/or speech and language problems. Anyone with a concussion should see a doctor to determine if any neurological damage has occurred and to what extent.
Minor Head Injuries
Throughout the entire night, wake the person up every 2 to 3 hours, and ask simple questions (their name, location, names of family members). Monitor the person very carefully for the first 24 hours after a minor head injury. Acetaminophen may be used for mild headaches. Never take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications because they can increase the risk of bleeding near the brain. If minor head injuries do not go away within 24 hours seek immediate medical attention.
Signs & Symptoms of Head Injuries
Common
signs of concussions and other head injuries can include a headache, bump on
the head, disorientation, blurry vision, and/or nausea. The lists below do not
contain every possible sign or symptom that an individual with a head injury
might experience.
If any of these signs show up, immediately take the person to an emergency room:
Danger signs of very serious head injuries:
Transporting to a Hospital
While transporting a person with a head injury to an emergency room it’s very important to follow these things:
Helmets & Brain Injuries
The brain can be injured during a fall even if a person was wearing a helmet. When a person falls, the brain is still traveling at the same speed when it hits the ground or an object. The brain will bounce, and this action may lead to a brain injury. Helmets protect the skull and might prevent major brain damage, but they cannot stop the brain from bouncing upon impact.
If any of these signs show up, immediately take the person to an emergency room:
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Shock (difficulty breathing, slow pulse, chills)
- Loss of balance
- Loss of hearing, smell, vision, or taste
- Repeating the same phrases or
questions
Danger signs of very serious head injuries:
- Unconsciousness or unable to wake person up
- Memory loss or confusion that lasts more than 15 minutes
- Seizures
- Paralysis (unable to move arms or legs)
- Slurred speech
- Personality change
- Acting aggressive or violent
- Irritability
- Drowsiness
- Pupils unequal in size and/or not reactive to light
- Severe headache
- Bruising around eyes or behind the ear
- Clear fluid or blood coming out of ears, nose, or mouth (sign of internal bleeding near the brain)
- Beware that the person might feel
and/or look better, but then quickly get worse later on
Transporting to a Hospital
While transporting a person with a head injury to an emergency room it’s very important to follow these things:
- Do NOT give the person anything to eat or drink
- Do NOT let the person drink water
- Do NOT take any pain relievers until after getting examined by a doctor
- Keep the person still and as
immobile as possible
Helmets & Brain Injuries
The brain can be injured during a fall even if a person was wearing a helmet. When a person falls, the brain is still traveling at the same speed when it hits the ground or an object. The brain will bounce, and this action may lead to a brain injury. Helmets protect the skull and might prevent major brain damage, but they cannot stop the brain from bouncing upon impact.
Anatomy of the Head & Brain
Scenario
You are out in the woods climbing trees with friends. One person falls out of a tree, lands very hard on the ground, and he hits his head on a small rock. He complains of shoulder pain and you notice that his shoulder is hanging lower than the other side. He begins to repeat the same questions over and over again; asking you 'what happened' and 'where am I?' After 15 minutes he has not shown any signs of improvement and he is still repeating the same questions. What are his injuries and what can you do to help him? Tip: Read the Splinting Fractures & Joints page first to learn how to splint a dislocated shoulder.
Answer: His injuries are a dislocated shoulder and a concussion. You should splint the shoulder by using a blanket roll splint. Call for an ambulance and/or transport him to an emergency room for treatment of the concussion and dislocated shoulder.
Answer: His injuries are a dislocated shoulder and a concussion. You should splint the shoulder by using a blanket roll splint. Call for an ambulance and/or transport him to an emergency room for treatment of the concussion and dislocated shoulder.