Topic Overview
Most injuries to the head are
minor. Bumps, cuts, and scrapes on the head and face usually heal well and can
be treated the same as injuries to other parts of the body. Minor cuts on the
head often bleed heavily because the face and scalp have many blood vessels
close to the surface of the skin. Often the injury is not severe, and the
bleeding will stop with home treatment. For more information, see
.
Many head injuries can be prevented. Use
seat belts and helmets, and make your home safe to prevent falls.
Common causes of serious head injuries in adults include:
- Car crashes. Almost half of all head injuries
occur during a car crash. Teens and young adults are more likely to be hurt in
car crashes than other age groups.
- Falls, which are more likely to
involve children younger than age 5 and adults older than age
60.
- Sports-related injuries and work-related accidents. Men have
about twice as many head injuries as women. Sports-related injuries are very
common but are not always reported.
- Assaults and violent attacks.
Gunshot wounds are the leading cause of death from a head injury.
Head injuries that involve force are more likely to cause a
serious injury to the brain. A
increases the
likelihood of a serious injury even more. Be sure to evaluate the
person for signs and symptoms of a head injury after a fall or other type of
head injury.
It is sometimes hard to tell the difference
between a mild
and a more serious
. A person with a concussion may appear
dazed, stare blankly, or cry for no apparent reason. Nausea, vomiting,
, or dizziness may be present. A visit to a doctor is needed anytime
mild symptoms persist. Even if a visit to a doctor is not needed, watch anyone
who has had a head injury carefully for at least 24 hours to see whether signs
of a serious head injury develop.
Occasionally, after a head injury
you may feel as if you are not functioning as well as you did before the injury
(). You may have blurred vision,
headache, nausea, vomiting, forgetfulness, or trouble concentrating. Some
people have problems with balance and coordination and personality changes.
These changes may be related to stress from the events around the accident
that caused the injury or from the injury itself. Many people have symptoms for
as long as 3 months after a head injury, and some even have problems for as
long as a year afterward.
When a head injury has occurred, look
for other injuries to other parts of the body that also may need attention.
Trouble breathing, shock, spinal injuries, and severe bleeding are all
life-threatening injuries that may occur along with a head injury and require
immediate medical attention.
, especially the neck, must be
considered when there has been a head injury.
Check your
symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor.