Take Care of Yourself After Sustaining A Head Injury

     "Caring for a Loved One After a Head Injury" provides key information on what to watch for and how to respond if you or someone you know has sustained a head injury.

Signs and Symptoms

Following a head injury from a fall, car accident, or sports-related impact, you should monitor for severe symptoms, which may appear immediately or take up to a week to develop. Seek immediate medical attention if you observe any of the following:

• Changes in Consciousness: Increased drowsiness, loss of consciousness, or becoming unresponsive.
• Neurological Changes: Restlessness, difficulty speaking, or convulsions.
• Motor Function Impairment: Reduced strength in the arms and legs.
• Cardiovascular Signs: Very slow pulse.
• Gastrointestinal Distress: Persistent, repeated vomiting.
• Severe Pain: Intense, unrelenting headache.
• Fluid Leakage: Clear fluid or blood coming from the ears or nose. Do not try to wipe or blow it out.
• Vision and Sensation Issues: Severe dizziness, blurred vision, or throbbing pain in the eyeballs.
• Any other concerning symptoms.

Severity of the Injury

     Even seemingly minor symptoms can indicate a serious issue. If left untreated, a head injury can lead to bleeding or blood clots in the brain, potentially resulting in disability.

Caring for a Head Injury

• For the Caregiver: Closely monitor the person's symptoms. If the patient is a child, wake them every 1-2 hours to check on them. Avoid rough or bumpy travel to prevent further injury.
• For the Patient (at home): If you are recovering at home, avoid all types of exercise for at least 72 hours. Eat soft foods and take prescribed pain medication as directed by your doctor.