Head & Neurological Injuries

A head injury may consist of one or a combination of the following conditions: a concussion, a cut or bruise of the scalp, or a fracture of the skull with injury to the brain and the blood vessels of the scalp.

The damage can range from a minor cut on the scalp to a severe brain injury which rapidly causes death. Most head injuries lie somewhere between the two extremes.

Usually, serious skull fractures and brain injuries occur together; however, it is possible to receive a serious brain injury without a skull fracture. The brain is a very delicate organ; when it is injured, the victim may vomit, become sleepy, suffer paralysis, or lose consciousness and slip into a coma.

All severe head injuries are potentially life-threatening. For recovery and return to normal function, casualties require proper first aid as a vital first step.

Signs/Symptoms

A head injury may be open or closed. In open injuries, there is a visible wound and, at times, the brain may actually be seen. In closed injuries, no visible injury is seen, but the victim may experience the same signs and symptoms. Either closed or open head injuries can be life threatening if the injury has been severe enough; thus, if you suspect a head injury, evaluate the victim for the following:

• Current or recent unconsciousness (loss of consciousness).
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Convulsions or twitches (involuntary jerking and shaking).
• Slurred speech.
• Confusion.
• Sleepiness (drowsiness).
• Loss of memory (does victim know his own name, where he is, etc.).
• Clear or bloody fluid leaking from nose or ears.
• Staggering in walking.
• Dizziness.
• A change in pulse rate.
• Breathing problems.
• Eye (vision) problems, such as unequal pupils.
• Paralysis.
• Headache.
• Black eyes.
• Bleeding from scalp/head area.
• Deformity of the head.