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Head Injuries

Condition
One of the most common injuries in the UK is head injuries with about 1 million people being treated each year. Around 12,000 of these will be severe with the person having been unconscious for 6 hours or more. Minor bumps to the head are fairly common, especially with children. As long as there is no deep cut or damage to the head such as broken bone and the person is conscious there is usually no damage to the brain. With severe head injuries it usually means that the brain has been damaged in some way. The brain surface can get torn and bruised as it impacts against the skull causing blood vessels and nerves to rip. These type of injuries cause bleeding, swelling or fluid build-up in the head, putting pressure on the brain and sometimes causing brain damage. There are two types of head injuries, these are closed and penetrating. Closed is when a blunt object hits the head and penetrating is when an object breaks through the skull and into the brain.

Recognition
The symptoms of head injuries include nausea and vomiting as well as headaches that may get worse or still be present hours after the injury. Double vision and dizziness and difficulty sleeping. People may also experience memory problems, confusion, slurred speech, weakness in parts of the body and uneven pupil sizes. In some cases the person may fall into a coma or have a seizure. Another sign is bleeding from the head that cannot be stopped.

Graphic

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Double vision and dizziness
• Confusion and slurred speech
• Weakness
• Uneven pupil sizes
• Coma and seizure
• Bleeding

Action
If you find someone with a moderate or severe head injury you should call the emergency services immediately. Check the person's airway, breathing, and circulation and if necessary, begin CPR.

If their heart rate and breathing are normal but they are unconscious stabilise the head and neck by placing your hands on both sides of the person's head, keeping the head in line with the spine and preventing movement then wait for medical assistance.

Try to stop any bleeding by pressing a clean cloth on the wound. however, if the injury is serious, do not to move the person's head. If blood soaks through the cloth, do not remove it instead place another cloth over the first one.

In the event that you suspect a skull fracture do not apply direct pressure to the bleeding site and do not remove any debris from the wound. If possible cover with a sterile dressing.

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