The term head injury is a rather broad classification that describes a wide range of injuries that occur to the skull, scalp or brain and can affect the bones, tissue or blood vessels in the area. Depending on the extent of the trauma, they can range from the very mild to the potentially life-threatening, meaning that anyone suspected of having developed such an injury must see a doctor right away. According to research, the incidence of head injuries has been rising, and nearly 2 million individuals have a TBI every year. This is significant because there are many instances in which head injuries leave patients disabled and in need to modify their daily routines and lifestyles in order to accommodate their new status.
Since their impact can be so severe, it’s essential that victims seek medical attention right away and make sure to follow treatment as closely as possible. These factors will greatly influence the recovery process and determine how quickly you are ready to resume your normal schedule.
An overview
Any kind of knock to the head counts as a head injury in the medical sense, with the majority causing little more than some mild, transient discomfort. The skull and facial bones keep the brain safe, but if they are injured, this vital organ becomes much more vulnerable and can even sustain damage. When the brain moves and knocks against the bones as a result of an impact, it can result in swelling and even bleeding, injuries that often have dire consequences. The most common type of head injury is a concussion, but even in this case, the symptoms can include loss of awareness and brain function alteration.
Even though the damage is minor and can typically be expected to heal on its own with no further issues, you can still make a personal injury claim with an expert solicitor that lets you obtain the maximum amount that you are owed. Injuries that fit this criteria are the ones that were caused as a result of someone else’s carelessness or a breach of their duty of care. If you are unable to work for a while and experience loss of earnings as a result, you can also demand additional compensation for the financial losses you’ve experienced as well.
Skull fractures are a more severe type of injury as they involve broken bones. Linear fractures are breaks in which the bone hasn’t moved and which only require a few days of rest and treatment before the patient is ready to resume regular activities. A depressed fracture can require surgical intervention since a part of the bone becomes recessed as a result of the trauma, while diastatic fractures occur around the areas where the bones fuse together and are more common in younger children. The basilar-type fracture is the most serious, and patients often present with bruising around the eye area and behind their ears.
The individuals who develop a basilar skull fracture require close observation in the hospital since the injury couldn’t possibly heal on its own.
Symptoms
The classic symptoms of a head injury include headache, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision and memory problems. Patients can also end up with speech impairments, with some repeating the same words over and over again, displaying slurred speech or confusion. Naturally, the signs and symptoms will vary depending on the severity of your injury. Moreover, every individual experiences things differently, so what can seem like relatively moderate pain for some could feel downright awful for others. Milder cases of head injuries will typically present with the standard symptoms, as well as irritability, some sensitivity to bright lights or loud noises, changes in sleep patterns, and problems with balance.
This is precisely why the most common form of treatment doctors prescribe for these situations is plenty of rest, as the body needs to adjust and work through the damage. You might notice some changes in your senses other than sight, including a persistent ringing in your ears or alterations in your perception of taste. Fatigue is also a standard symptom, and you should never ignore it or push yourself to do things you’re too tired for. All that will achieve is delay your recovery period, and perhaps even worsen your general state.
The moderate to severe cases which necessitate swift medical intervention present with more dramatic symptoms, including severe headaches, repeated vomiting, sweating, pale skin, differences in pupil size, open head wounds and even coma.
Healing
Treatment depends on the severity and type of the injury and can range from little other than over-the-counter medication and bed rest for a few days to complex surgical procedures and extended hospital stays. Overall health levels and age will also determine the best course of treatment. You may be allergic to some medicine, and some rehabilitation processes may not work for you in spite of being the standard. Luckily, there are many other forms of treatment that can be implemented so that you make a full recovery.
Apart from the standard treatment, you should also consider rehabilitation if you still find it difficult to adjust to daily life. The process can focus on any area you’re struggling with, encompassing fields such as physical or occupational therapy. You can also talk to a therapist if you’re experiencing anxiety or depression in the aftermath of your accident. Rehabilitation aims to improve your ability to function on a daily basis, can provide you with both emotional and social support, and make you better equipped to handle the ups and downs of the recovery process.
If some of the mental and physical problems persist even after the treatment, therapy can solve or at least ameliorate them. It can also prevent some of the complications associated with brain injuries, like breathing problems, blood clots, muscle weakness and spasms, low blood pressure and chronic pain.
To sum up, although head injuries are unpleasant events, there are several treatment options available for patients. Recovery can take time, especially in cases where injuries are more severe, but being consistent and resting well are the best ways to ensure you’ll be able to heal.
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