Symptoms Of Head Trauma

Obvious indications of head trauma would be loss of consciousness, respiratory failure, difficulty speaking, poor judgment, and seeing double. In addition, spinal fluid coming out of the nose or ears, headache, confusion, or lack of coordination, are cause for emergency medical treatment. Dilated or unequal pupil size in the eyes, lack of response to others, vomiting, or other changes in physical control, all warrant contacting a physician as soon as possible.

Whenever a head injury has occurred, medical professionals assume the neck is also injured. Laymen should do likewise. Unless the injured person is in further danger, extreme care should be taken to keep the person immobile until trained technicians can help to move him properly. This means the EMTs will support the neck, and then move the head, neck and torso as one unit.

Sometimes, more information is available. If the patient can talk, he will probably state that he has pain in his neck. Or he will mention that his arms are numb, or his legs feel weak. Such statements should be taken seriously. If he has lapsed into unconsciousness, ask bystanders if he said anything, anything at all.

Head Trauma in Children

The brain of a child is more prone to injury because the skull is thinner than an adult's and the brain doesn't yet have as much myelin to protect nerve fibers. The brain also tends to swell more than an adult's brain. Additionally, the child will lose a lot more blood if the scalp has been lacerated or if hematomas are present. She or he may go into shock sooner.

Medical centers have a system of priorities in place to quickly screen a child with head trauma, treat her or him appropriately, and attempt to identify all damage within the cranium. For various reasons, it can be difficult to assess damage to a child's brain. Obtaining the parents' cooperation in providing a medical history is important. And if child abuse is suspected, specified authorities must report it in all U.S. states. Eighteen states currently require every citizen to report suspected abuse and neglect of children.