What is Head Injury

There are many types of head injuries. They can be as minor as a bump. Some head injuries can be worse. Worse injuries include:

• A strong hit to the head that hurts the brain (concussion).
• A bruise of the brain (contusion). This means there is bleeding in the brain that can cause swelling.
• A cracked skull (skull fracture).
• Bleeding in the brain that gathers, gets thick (makes a clot), and forms a bump (hematoma).

Most problems from a head injury come in the first 24 hours. However, you may still have side effects up to 7–10 days after your injury. It is important to watch your condition for any changes.

Follow these instructions at home:

Activity

• Rest as much as possible.
• Avoid activities that are hard or tiring.
• Make sure you get enough sleep.
• Limit activities that need a lot of thought or attention, such as:
  • Watching TV.
  • Playing memory games and puzzles.
  • Job-related work or homework.
  • Working on the computer, social media, and texting.
• Avoid activities that could cause another head injury until your doctor says it is okay. This includes playing sports.
• Ask your doctor when it is safe for you to go back to your normal activities, such as work or school. Ask your doctor for a step-by-step plan for slowly going back to your normal activities.
• Ask your doctor when you can drive, ride a bicycle, or use heavy machinery. Never do these activities if you are dizzy.

Lifestyle

• Do not drink alcohol until your doctor says it is okay.
• Avoid drug use.
• If it is harder than usual to remember things, write them down.
• If you are easily distracted, try to do one thing at a time.
• Talk with family members or close friends when making important decisions.
• Tell your friends, family, a trusted coworker, and work manager about your injury, symptoms, and limits (restrictions). Have them watch for any problems that are new or getting worse.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Have someone stay with you for 24 hours after your head injury. This person should watch you for any changes in your symptoms and be ready to get help.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Work on your balance and strength. This can help you avoid falls.
• Wear a seatbelt when you are in a moving vehicle.
• Wear a helmet when:
  • Riding a bicycle.
  • Skiing.
  • Doing any other sport or activity that has a risk of injury.
• Drink alcohol only in moderation.
• Make your home safer by:
  • Getting rid of clutter from the floors and stairs, like things that can make you trip.
  • Using grab bars in bathrooms and handrails by stairs.
  • Placing non-slip mats on floors and in bathtubs.
  • Putting more light in dim areas.

Get help right away if:

• You have:
  • A very bad (severe) headache that is not helped by medicine.
  • Trouble walking or weakness in your arms and legs.
  • Clear or bloody fluid coming from your nose or ears.
  • Changes in your seeing (vision).
  • Jerky movements that you cannot control (seizure).
• You throw up (vomit).
• Your symptoms get worse.
• You lose balance.
• Your speech is slurred.
• You pass out.
• You are sleepier and have trouble staying awake.
• The black centers of your eyes (pupils) change in size.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.