Head Injuries - Types, Causes, Treatments

Any injury that causes damage or injury to the scalp, skull or the brain, can be called a head injury. It can be a minor bump or major physical damage. When the brain is affected, it is called Traumatic Brain Injury and can drastically change the physical and mental status of a person. They are also a major cause of death and disability.

Types:

Concussion - where the head is shaken so hard that the brain literally bounces off the side of the skull. This can range from mild to severe. Any sudden deceleration of the body or impact elsewhere can cause the brain to move in the cranium.

Contusion - where a bruise forms on the brain itself, leading to bleeding and swelling.

Intracranial Hematoma - where there is bleeding in the skull that then forms a clot. And, depending on where they form, can range from mild to severe.

Edema - this is swelling to injured tissue. When it happens to the brain tissue, the skull cannot stretch to accommodate the swelling, leading to pressure buildup, pressing the brain against the skull.

Skull Fracture - here the skull bone is fractured and cuts into the brain causing all kinds of complications.

Diffuse Axonal Injury - as there is no visible sign outside, this is one of the most dangerous, often leading to brain damage or death. Here there is damage to the brain cells, but no bleeding. This prevents their function, often leading to more swelling and damage.

Causes:

Vehicular accidents are the most common, followed by accidents at home or workplace and involvement in acts of violence.

Treatments:

This depends on the type and severity of the injury.  Minor injuries may need nothing more than pain medication. But, if there is a cut, it may need to be closed and medicated. Serious injuries may need hospitalisation and the treatment can be:

Medication - as there is a possibility of seizures, anti-seizure medication may be prescribed. Medication to increase the amount of water and salt excretion from the body called Diuretics, may be prescribed. This reduces pressure build up caused by Edema. Sometimes the patient may have to be put into an induced coma, as then the brain needs less oxygen and nutrients.

Surgery - this is an emergency procedure and may have to be carried out to repair physical damage to the skull; release internal buildup of  pressure inside the skull; to remove a hematoma, which is the buildup of blood outside the blood vessels.

Rehabilitation - any serious brain injury could lead to loss of functionality, and regular rehabilitation will be necessary to retrain the brain to normal functioning. What this will be depends on what functionality is lost.

Head injuries are not to be taken lightly and medical help must be sought without any delay.                                    

 Reviewed By: Dr Shyam Sundar K

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