Head Injury - Treatment

Treatment Of Minor Head Injuries

Minor head injuries can be managed with bed rest, intravenous fluids and pain killing medication. Ice packs may be applied over the scalp to numb the pain and decrease the local swelling.
In case of a small cut over the head, the doctor examines the wound to look for presence of foreign objects. If no hidden injuries or foreign objects are seen, the wound is cleansed. Local anesthetic is given over the affected area and the wound is closed with the help of sutures (stitches) or skin staples. A shot of tetanus is usually given if not given previously.

Treatment Of Severe Head Injury

Following severe brain injury, nearly 33% of patients recover to an optimal level following treatment. About the same percentage of patients die following the tragic incident. The rest suffer from varying levels of physical and mental disability (33%). Severe head injury is a medical emergency. Hence people with moderate to severe open or closed head injuries are admitted to the hospital for management and further observation.
If the head injury leads to a significant elevation in intracranial pressure, decompression of the brain may be accomplished through insertion of a probe into the brain.
Drugs for prevention of seizures may be given following brain injury. After recovery, however such seizures do not occur and usually does not require any treatment.
In case of a closed head injury, a number of factors such as the location of head injury, the presence of bleeding, the nature and severity of the symptoms, the presence of other injuries are to be considered. Surgery may be needed. Nearly 50% of all head injuries may need a surgery to surgically repair the damage. In case of penetrating brain injuries, surgery may have to be done to remove the foreign object or to arrest bleeding. Following surgery, the patient may have to be strictly monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU). Once the patient recovers, the patient can be transferred to a sub acute medical care unit. Medications may be given to protect the brain and preserve brain function.
The patient may then be referred to a rehabilitation unit. The rehabilitation therapy should be targeted at restoring the functionality of the individual to the maximum possible extent.

References:

Traumatic Brain Injury - (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/headandbraininjuries.html)
Head Injuries - (http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/head_injury.html)

Published on Sep 13, 2013
Last Updated on Aug 10, 2020

TripleT Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Once I was about 9 in a half I was doing gymnastics class, and I was doing a back flip on a bar and i started hanging upside down then i feel and broke my neck, chipped my tooth, and broke a growth plate in my head. Now we are looking to have a surgery preformed because, the growth plate dips in my head and pokes my brain.

salah Sunday, February 7, 2010

i got hitt by my dad with a pole on the head that gave me a few months in rehab but i did forgiv my dad

jjjjj Friday, October 23, 2009

I was hit in the frontal lob of head by a van. Feeling head pain,snapping then followed by facial temperature change,sharp pain in eyes,numbness in head, mood swings,confusion,fatigue,pain in teeth and mouth hinge,compound words and slow thinking,slow responce.neck injury damaged nerve c-7, three damaged disks c-5,c-6,c-7, head muscle pain all of these last from hours to days to weeks. what do you think about my problem?

Dr Samie Ullah Sunday, January 4, 2009

it is one of the fields of medical profession which still requires most manpower and resources.

kiki is somthing you aint Saturday, November 22, 2008

It is something that you should not joke about. Seriously.