Head Injury Essay

Head Injury, Adult

There are many types of head injuries. Head injuries can be as minor as a bump or they can be more severe. More severe head injuries include:
• A jarring injury to the brain (concussion).
• A bruise of the brain (contusion). This mean there is bleeding in the brain that can cause swelling.
• A cracked skull (skull fracture).
• Bleeding in the brain that collects, clots, and forms a bump (hematoma).
After a head injury, you may need to be observed for a while in the emergency department or urgent care. Sometimes admission to the hospital is needed.
After a head injury has occurred, most problems occur within the first 24 hours, but side effects may occur up to 7–10 days after the injury. It is important to watch your condition for any changes.

CAUSES
• You have trouble walking, weakness in your arms and legs, or you lose balance.
• Your speech is slurred.
• You have clear or bloody fluid coming from your nose or ears.
• You have changes in your vision. Your pupils change size.
• You have a seizure. You pass out.
• You are sleepier and have trouble staying awake.
These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Reviewer citation:--
CITATION:--
1. Carney, N., Totten, A. M., O’Reilly, C., Ullman, J. S., Hawryluk, G. W. J., Bell, M. J., … Ghajar, J. (2016). *Guidelines for the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury* (4th ed.). New York, NY: Brain Trauma Foundation. Retrieved from https://braintrauma.org/uploads/03/12/Guidelines_for_Management_of_Severe_TBI_4th_Edition.pdf--
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion. Retrieved June 14, 2017, from