Head trauma, or traumatic brain injury, is an injury to the skull caused by a blow or trauma to the head, which can reach the brain and cause bleeding and clots. This type of trauma can be caused by car accidents, serious falls and even due to accidents that occur while playing sports.
The symptoms of head trauma depend on the strength of the blow and the severity of the accident, however, the most common are bleeding in the head, ear or face, fainting, memory loss, changes in vision and purplish eyes.
The treatment of this type of trauma should be done as soon as possible, because the earlier the medical procedures are performed, the more likely the person is to cure and the lower the risk of sequelae, such as loss of leg movements, difficulty speaking or speaking. to see.
In some cases, it is necessary to undergo rehabilitation with a physiatrist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or speech therapist, to reduce the negative effects of the sequelae and, thus, improve the quality of life of the person who suffered the traumatic brain injury.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of head trauma can appear immediately after the accident or only appear after a few hours, or even weeks, after the blow to the head, the most common of which are:
- Fainting and memory loss; Difficulty seeing or loss of vision; Severe headache; Confusion and altered speech; Loss of balance; Vomiting; Severe bleeding in the head or face; Blood or clear liquid flowing out of the nose and ears; Drowsiness excessive; black eye or purple spots on the ears; pupils with different sizes; loss of sensation in some part of the body.
If, in the event of an accident, a person presents these symptoms, it is necessary to immediately call the SAMU ambulance, at 192, for specialized care to be carried out. However, it is important not to move the victim, check for breath and, if the person is not breathing, cardiac massages are necessary. See more about first aid for head trauma.
In children, symptoms of head trauma may also include persistent crying, excessive agitation or drowsiness, vomiting, refusal to eat and head sags, which are more common in falls from high surfaces, such as a table or bed, for example.
Types of head trauma
Head trauma can be classified into several types, depending on the severity of the blow, the degree of brain damage and the symptoms presented, such as:
- Light: it is the most common type, in which the person recovers more quickly, because it is characterized by minor brain injuries. In these cases, the person usually spends a few hours of observation in an emergency and can continue with treatment at home, always being under observation; Moderate: consists of an injury that affects a larger area of the brain and the person is at greater risk of complications. The treatment must be done in a hospital and the person must be hospitalized; Severe: it is based on extensive brain lesions, with the presence of major bleeding in the head, and in these situations, the person must be hospitalized in an ICU.
In addition, injuries caused by head trauma can be focal, which is when they reach a small area of the brain, or diffuse, which are characterized by loss of function in a large part of the brain.
In any of these situations, the neurologist will evaluate the areas of the brain affected by performing computed tomography, since from that point on, the most appropriate and safest treatment will be recommended.
Treatment options
The treatment for head trauma depends on the type, severity and extent of the lesions in the brain and is indicated by a neurologist after performing computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, however, it may be necessary to see doctors from other specialties, such as the orthopedist, for example.
In milder cases, the doctor may recommend the use of pain medications, sutures or dressings, in the case of sharp injuries, and a period of surveillance and observing if the person does not show signs and symptoms of severity, and it is possible to be discharged from the hospital. in the first 12 hours, keeping the medication orally and observation.
However, in cases of moderate to severe head trauma, in which there are hemorrhages, fractures or severe brain injuries, surgery may be indicated to relieve pressure on the head and reduce bleeding and, therefore, ICU admission and the person may have to stay for many days until they recover. In addition, induced coma can often be justified, which serves to decrease brain activity in order to accelerate recovery. During the induced coma, the person breathes through devices and receives medication in the vein.
Possible sequelae
Head trauma can cause physical sequelae and lead to behavioral changes, which may appear soon after the trauma, or appear a while later. Some of the physical sequelae are loss of movement of body parts, changes in vision, control of breathing, intestinal or urinary problems.
The person who has suffered from a head injury may still have difficulty speaking, swallowing, memory loss, apathy, aggressiveness, irritability and changes in the sleep cycle.
However, after diagnosing a sequel, the doctor will indicate the rehabilitation, which is a set of activities developed by professionals such as physiatrist, physiotherapist, speech therapist, psychologist, occupational therapist who will help in the recovery of movements and improve the quality of life of the person who suffered head trauma.
What causes
The main causes of head trauma are automobile accidents, which is why the government has increasingly promoted projects and campaigns aimed at the use of seat belts and helmets.
Other causes of head trauma can be injuries resulting from extreme sports, such as skiing, or from recreational activities, such as when a person dives into a waterfall and hits his head on a rock or when he slips into a pool. Falls can also cause this type of brain trauma and are more common in the elderly and children. See more to do after a fall.
