Mild Head Injuries

A blow to the head can be forceful enough that the brain is jarred against the skull, causing a concussion. Typically, this is a risk associated with sports that involve physical contact with others, such as in football, at all levels of play. A fall can also result in a concussion, whether it happens from tripping over toys or pets or crawling babies, or comes about during home repairs or yard work.

Falls in public places are more than embarrassing, so we need to be aware of hazards that business proprietors or local governments haven't rectified. Concussion can also occur when the skull stops moving but the brain doesn't, or when the head is thrown forward and then back. Car, bus and train accidents are occasions for this type of injury, although head and neck injuries may well be more severe in such crashes.

Our federal or state governments can require that our children wear safety helmets while skateboarding or bicycling. They can't require our Moms and Grandpas to wear safety helmets to do housework or clean out the gutters. So, sooner or later, any one of us will probably suffer at least a mild head injury, or serious concussion, possibly followed by post concussion syndrome.

How Do They Know It's Mild?

Doctors ask questions about symptoms exhibited by the patient immediately following the fall or other accident. For example, it's very important for someone present to note how long the patient was unconscious, if the person seemed confused, had garbled speech, or any other abnormal symptoms. The doctor will do basic neurological and other tests, and may need to order a CT-scan, if he or she has insufficient information.