
Read more about how severe head injuries are diagnosed. If you have a severe head injury, you’ll be closely monitored and frequently reassessed to check your condition. Some people with significant head injuries have a high GCS score initially, but their score decreases when they're reassessed at a later stage. If a person has a severe head injury, they'll have a score of 8 or less. A score of 9 to 12 would be a moderate head injury. This is a scale from 3 to 15 that identifies how serious your head injury is, based on your symptoms and whether the brain has been damaged (with 3 being most severe and 15 the least severe).Ī GCS score of 13 or above would indicate a minor head injury. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is often used to assess head injuries. If you’ve had a severe head injury and there’s a chance you may have a brain injury, you’ll have a computerised tomography (CT) scan to assess the seriousness of the injury.
the injury wasn't accidental – for example, you deliberately hurt yourself or someone else hurt you on purpose. the person has been drinking alcohol or has taken drugs. the person has had previous problems with uncontrollable bleeding or a blood clotting disorder, or is taking medication that may cause bleeding problems, such as warfarin. the person has had previous brain surgery. the injury was caused by a forceful blow to the head at speed, such as being hit by a car or falling one metre or more. You should also go to hospital if someone has injured their head and: Alternatively, take them immediately to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department. difficulty with walking or co-ordinationĭial 999 immediately to request an ambulance if you're with someone who experiences any of these symptoms after sustaining a head injury. sudden swelling or bruising around both eyes or behind the ear. blood or clear fluid coming from the ears or nose. problems with the senses – such as hearing loss or double vision. concussion – a sudden but short-lived loss of mental function that occurs after a blow or other injury to the head a person with concussion may have a glazed look or appear confused, but won’t necessarily be unconscious. unconsciousness – where a person has collapsed and is unresponsive, even for a brief period of time. Symptoms of a severe head injury can include: This topic focuses on severe head injury. Surgery is generally required for treatment of skull fracture.Severe head injuries require immediate medical attention because there's a risk of serious brain damage. Also, never attempt to remove the bone fragments. One should never try to move the patient by themselves as there can be a spinal injury and the movement may cause the bone fragments to displace more.
In the case of loss of consciousness, calling an ambulance is imperative. In the case of bleeding, then it needs to be stopped by using a clean cloth. If the patient is vomiting, it is necessary for the head/neck to be stabilized in order to prevent choking. Patient should always have someone with them and should never be left alone. Nothing should be given to the patient without consulting a physician. Immediate medical attention is required. When the patient is resting, the head should be kept elevated above the heart level and one should be in a seated position. Patient is advised to take ample amount of rest and to stop any sort of physical or sporting activity. This often results in temporary or permanent disability and can prove to be fatal.
If the fractured segment of the skull comes in contact with the brain then the case becomes serious and life threatening. This can result in deafness or cerebrospinal fluid leak from the nose or ears. Basilar skull fracture can cause disruption of the bones of the middle ear. This type of fracture is usually caused by extreme force. In this, the bones located at skull base get fractured. Basilar Skull Fracture: This is one of the rarest forms of skull fractures.
Depressed Fracture: In this type of fracture, the bone gets crushed and a part of the bone gets displaced in the direction of the brain.Majority of people with this type of fracture do not experience any symptoms and there is no loss of consciousness. This fracture is in no way considered as fatal and is a simple fracture. The cause of it can be a small head injury such as with falling or getting hit by a stick etc. There is no bone fragmentation, distortion, or depression. In this type of fracture, cranial bone breaks and it looks like a very thin line. Linear Skull Fracture: This is one of the most common types of skull fracture and occurs in more than 50% of the cases of involving head injuries.Skull Fractures Are Divided Into Three Types