How to deal with Head Trauma?

Head trauma, also called traumatic brain injury (TBI), refers to brain or skull damage which is caused by external physical force. It can just be a slight dent or bruise on the head or an extreme head injury which could cause lifetime risks or even death. Therefore, it is important to identify and treat head injury as early as possible to have a better recovery and reduce the effects of such injury.

What is Head Trauma?

Head trauma is an assortment of such injuries in which brain, skull or scalp tissues are damaged. Such injuries result from forces exerted during falls, car accidents, injury from playing sports, physical abuse, or accidents that may have a strong impact on the brain.  The severity of head trauma is classified as follows:

• Mild TBI: Mild TBI is often referred to as a concussion, resulting in a change in one’s mental processes and consciousness temporarily.
• Moderate TBI: Such a form of TBI usually involves symptoms which last longer. It is when a person loses consciousness for several minutes but regains the state within a few hours.
• Severe TBI: It requires intensive medical intervention and is Characterized by prolonged unconsciousness or significant cognitive impairments.

What are common causes of Head Trauma?

There are several situations which can lead to one sustaining a head trauma such as:

• Falls: These are the most common cases of head trauma that can be reported mostly in young children or the elderly.
• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Road accidents involving cars, bicycles, and two-wheelers can cause significant head trauma.
• Sports Injuries: Competing in contact sports like football, hockey, and boxing brings a huge risk.
• Physical Assaults: Being punched or kicked can cause an injury to the head resulting in traumatic brain injury.
• Accidents at Work: Industrial setups and construction sites can cause head trauma as they’re hazardous and pose a high risk.
• Explosions: Army-based surrounding has the most likelihood of these and injuries are usually in the form of blunt or penetrating.

Signs and Symptoms of Head Trauma

The symptoms of head trauma differ based on the severity and nature of the injury. Broadly these symptoms can be classified into physical, mental, and emotional signs:

Physical Symptoms

• Headache or pressure in the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or balance issues
• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
• Seizures
• Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears (indicative of skull fractures)

Cognitive Symptoms

• Feeling confused  or disorientation
• Loss of Memory (amnesia)
• Trouble concentrating
• Slurred speech

Emotional Symptoms

• Mood swings
• Depression or Anxiety
• Irritability

When to Seek Medical Attention

It’s essential to seek immediate medical care if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Persistent headache or worsening headache
• Repeated vomiting
• Loss of consciousness lasting more than a few seconds
• Seizures
• Unequal pupil size
• Weakness or numbness in limbs
• Unusual behaviour or confusion
• Difficulty waking up

How to diagnose Head Trauma?

Head trauma can easily be diagnosed through a combination of techniques which involves clinical evaluation and imaging tests. This is what healthcare providers usually do:

1. Evaluate Symptoms and Medical History: Providing a detailed description of the injury and the symptoms helps to make the evaluation easier.

2. Perform Physical Examination: This step specifically involves checking the response of the pupils and reflexes along with the neurological systems.

3. Imaging Techniques Usage:

• CT Scans: They are mostly used to look for fractures, bleeding, and swelling in the body first.
• MRI Scans: They provide a more detailed view to identify the subtle and chronic damage.

Can Head Trauma Be Treated?

The head trauma can be treated and the approach for treatment depends on how severe the injury is. The following options for treatment are available:

1. Treatment for Mild TBI (Concussion)

• Complete rest and gradual return to normal daily activities without making too much effort.
• Headaches can be cured with pain relief tablets.
• Return to everyday activities gradually under medical supervision.
   

2. Moderate to Severe TBI

• Emergency Care: Assuring adequate oxygen perfusion and control of blood pressure.
• Medications:
  • Diuretics to reduce brain swelling.
  • Anti-seizure drugs to avoid any complications.
  • Coma-inducing drugs allow the brain to heal.

3. Surgery: Surgery is done in cases to remove clots, repair skull fractures, or relieve pressure.

4. Rehabilitation: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are often required for recovery.

Are there any complications for head trauma?

Yes, if the head trauma is untreated, it can lead to complications, such as:

1. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE): A progressive brain disease that is triggered by repeated head injuries.
2. Post Concussion syndrome: A problem of readjustment after a head injury that could result in headaches or dizziness.
3. Seizures: Several seizures can appear, right after the surgery or some months later.
4. Cognitive Impairments: Loss of memory, poor attention span and reduced capacity to solve problems.
5. Physical Disabilities: Generalized weakness, problems with coordination or even paralysis.
6. Emotional disturbances: This can lead to depression, anxiety, and personality change.

How to Prevent Head Trauma?

While not all head injuries are preventable, taking precautions can significantly reduce risk:

1. Wear Protective Gear: Use helmets for biking, motorcycling, and contact sports.
2. Install Safety Measures at Home: Use handrails, remove tripping hazards, and install grab bars in bathrooms.
3. Follow Traffic Laws: Wear seatbelts and avoid distracted or impaired driving.
4. Use Proper Equipment at Work: Wear hard hats and follow safety protocols in hazardous environments.
5. Promote Fall Prevention: Regular exercise to improve balance and strength, especially in older adults.
6. Educate on Concussion Protocols: Encourage athletes and coaches to recognize and respond to head injuries promptly.

Here’s how you can recover from Head Trauma

Head trauma recovery depends on the degree of the injury, the condition of the person and the treatment they got. There are some important points below that help one to recover efficiently:

• Enough Rest: Adequate physical and mental rest is mandatory, especially for mild head injuries.
• Follow-Up Care: Every head trauma patient will need to come back for a follow-up for the doctor to review his progress and treat any emerging problems.
• Therapies: Therapies such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy for rehabilitation.
• Psychological Support: Counseling or support group helps coping the disease by addressing the emotional challenges.
• Lifestyle Change: By having a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly and not indulging in activities that will lead to increased risk for re-injury.

Conclusion

Head trauma is considered a clinical concern; hence it is imperative to act quickly and properly. Knowledge about the causes, the clinical symptoms and the management is essential to avoid further injuries and to aid recovery. To minimize the effects of head injuries at individual as well as community levels, education and other preventive strategies can be implemented.