Head injuries can occur as a result of car and motorcycle wrecks, falls from windows, and getting into fights. Depending on the injury, victims can develop symptoms that are subtle and they might not appear immediately. There may or may not be a loss of consciousness. The incidence of head injuries among amateur and professional athletes is high and all too often they don't realize they've been hurt. Here are some different types of head injuries and how to recognize them.
Signs of a Concussion
The brain is relatively soft and it's protected by a thin layer of cerebrospinal fluid. A violent jolt to the head can cause the brain to slam into the inner wall of the skull. Being hit by a soccer ball or another similar projectile can cause a concussion. A victim will probably have a dazed look on the face and might experience a mild headache, but in any case it's important to take the person to a doctor immediately even if he or she claims to be okay. The following symptoms can be mild or severe:
- Feeling confused
- Seeing flashing lights
- Convulsions
- Unbalanced walking
- Unequal pupils
- Strange eye movements
Signs of a Subdural Hematoma
A subdural hematoma occurs when blood collects underneath the protective covering of the brain called the dura. Blood vessels in the dura tear and bleed, and because there isn't much space under the skull the pressure builds fast. Car accidents are a leading cause of subdural hematomas, particularly when the head strikes a windshield or the brain undergoes a dramatic acceleration/deceleration movement, as in a whiplash injury.
In addition to receiving broken noses and jaws, professional boxers are at risk of suffering subdural hematomas after being in one too many fights. An acute subdural hematoma is life-threatening and a victim will begin to show symptoms within twenty-four hours of a traumatic head injury. It's time to suspect that a person has taken a blow to the head when these signs appear:
- Terrible headaches
- Slurred speech
- Amnesia
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness in the limbs
- Complete loss of consciousness
Skull Fractures
The skull is resilient but it can break just like every bone in the body. There are four major types of skull fractures:
- Linear
- Depressed
- Diastatic
- Basilar
Linear fractures are undistorted breaks in the skull resembling thin lines. A depressed fracture can be compared to a dent in the skull; surgery is required if the depth of the fracture equals or exceeds the thickness of the skull bone. Diastatic fractures occur when the skull's suture lines (areas where the bones fuse together in childhood) are widened. Basilar fractures occur at the floor of the skull.
Cerebrospinal fluid or blood can leak out of the ears and noses of victims who have suffered skull fractures. Skull fractures occur in all walks of life. Professional drivers who have crashed race cars, assault victims who have been struck with baseball bats or other club-like weapons, and anyone who falls off a ladder and lands head first will need prompt medical attention.
References:
U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, "Acute subdural hematoma caused by professional boxing" (accessed August 13, 2010)
Brain Injury Association of America, "Living with Brain Injury" (accessed August 14, 2010)
Scott Hayden - Since joining Suite101 in early 2007, I've contributed articles about travel, history and health. My speciality is writing about workplace ...
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