Signs and Symptoms to Look Out for After a Head Injury
One of the problems with a head injury is that while you may notice a lump, bruise, or cut, if the person is awake and speaking, it’s hard to spot the Signs and Symptoms of a Head Injury. In spite of the fact that there may not be many physical signs, head injuries really do need to be treated seriously.
A severe knock to the head can cause bleeding in the blood vessels near to the brain and if you suspect that there is damage, the person needs to be taken to hospital as soon as possible. If your child, or an adult in your family, has a fall or injures their head in some other way, there are a few signs and symptoms you need to look out for. Should you notice any of the following then it is always best to either contact your doctor for advice or in extreme cases get the person to A&E. It’s not always evident at the time that there is a problem, so you need to keep an eye on the person, especially a child for several days after the accident.
Sleepiness
When someone has had a fall or a severe knock on the head, you need to try and keep them awake, at least for the first few hours. If the child or adult who has the injury can’t seem to keep awake you may need to call your doctor for advice. In some instances the injured person may lose consciousness altogether, in which case you should get them to the nearest accident and emergency department as soon as possible, or call for an ambulance.
Sickness
It isn’t unusual for someone with a head injury to feel sick, or even to be sick when the accident happens. You need to keep an eye on the person, and if they are sick again, call your GP. If you can’t reach your usual doctor and the person is vomiting, then you should call an ambulance to take them to hospital. Very often the sickness does wear off, but with a head injury it is always best to be on the safe side.
Headache and Memory Loss
If the person complains of a severe headache, and taking paracetamol does not ease this, you should seek medical help as this might be caused by an internal injury. Likewise, if the patient cannot remember the events that led up to the accident, or seems unaware of what has happened, you need to seek medical help.
Convulsions and Dizzy Spells
Finally, should a child or adult with a head injury start having convulsions, then you need to get them to hospital immediately. You should also seek medical help if the injured person is unsteady on their feet, or complaining of dizzy spells.
For more advice or to book a First aid course contact us today.
