Head Injury Signs - Legacy ER

A seemingly mild head injury can sometimes be a serious issue in disguise. Understanding the signs of a severe head or brain injury can be lifesaving knowledge. If you have suffered even a mild head injury we suggest you get medical care but it’s even more crucial to get care quickly if you are experiencing the signs of a serious issue because it may be life-threatening. Even a mild traumatic brain injury can do serious damage to the brain.

What Are the Most Common Ways to Get a Head Injury?

The first step in identifying the signs of a serious head injury is thinking about how your head injury occurred. Some of the ways head injuries can happen include:

• Playing sports – injuries in contact sports can happen after a collision or hard fall. According to the AANS, sports are actually the cause of 21% of the traumatic brain injuries(TBI) among children and teens. In some cases, repeated concussions from playing sports can lead to long-term issues.
• Falling – a hard fall from something that may not be even considered that high up can be devastating if you hit your head. Falls account for 35% of non-fatal TBI’s.
• Car Wreck – car accidents are happening all the time and they are a common way to get a head injury. Car accidents can cause concussions, skull fractures, “whiplash” that leads to brain trauma, and more.

Do I Have a Head Injury Without Realizing It? – Signs and Symptoms.

Being able to identify the signs and symptoms of a serious injury after experiencing a head accident is crucial. The longer you wait to seek medical attention the more serious your injury can become.

A tell-tale sign of a serious injury is whether or not the sufferer lost consciousness during the injury. However, if you don’t lose consciousness there are some other signs and symptoms that include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Slurred speech
• Short term memory loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dilated pupils
• Weakness in the body
• Seizures

You should never let a head injury go untreated. Even if you’re only experiencing mild symptoms it is a good idea to be checked out by a medical professional. If you are experiencing any of these issues your injury may be severe.

Most Common Treatment Options

Ultimately, the medical professional will choose your treatment options based on the severity and cause of the trauma. A mild injury may need some pain medication and a bandage, while a severe injury may need surgery. The most common head injury treatments include:

• Medications like pain medicine, diuretics, and anti-seizure medication.
• Surgeries such as the removal of bone to avoid the increased pressure of a swollen brain.
• Rehab can help you regain lost skills after your injury.

Should I visit an ER?

Knowing when it’s time to head to an emergency room is critical in the treatment of serious injuries. If you are unsure if your head injury is serious enough for an ER visit it’s a safe bet to just go and get it checked out.

If you have suffered from an injury and are currently experiencing any of the symptoms above, you should head to an ER to be seen by a healthcare professional. Call 911 for immediate care and consider visiting Legacy ER & Urgent Care for both your emergent and non-emergent needs.

Legacy ER & Urgent Care is part of Intuitive Health’s innovative system of hybrid model ER and urgent care clinics, ensuring patients receive the quality care they deserve with affordable pricing options. With a highly trained medical staff and transparent focus on customer care, Legacy is available 24-hours a day, year-round.