Head injuries happen! Fortunately, most head injuries are not serious and do not cause brain trauma or long term concerns. If you have a head injury, it is helpful to speak to a health care provider to determine if further evaluation is needed. Sometimes a head injury is significant and can cause brain injury, or a "concussion".
Symptoms of a concussion include:
- confusion
- headache
- balance problems
- change in your vision
- memory loss
- sleep disturbance
- trouble focusing, among others
- nausea
If you have had a head injury and you have these symptoms, you should be seen by a health care provider. You also need to rest, take nothing other than Ibuprofen or Tylenol for discomfort, drink no alcohol and eat a light diet. Symptoms after a head injury that would prompt the need for emergency treatment are: convulsions, change in the size of pupils, loss of consciousness or decreasing consciousness, clear fluid from the nose, facial bruising and severe headache.