What are the effects of blunt head trauma?

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Blunt head trauma can occur due to a direct blow to the head and can cause detrimental damage to the brain. Take note that the impact can range from minor to a severe brain injury that would require immediate emergency care. Most causes of traumatic brain injuries occur due to traffic and vehicular accidents. Even if the head trauma does not cause an open wound, the injury can occur within the brain. Always remember that the effects of blunt head trauma are severe and irreversible as well as disrupting the normal functioning of the brain, thus resulting to various health complications.

What are the types of head trauma?

There are two forms of head trauma – concussion and contusion. When a concussion occurs, the brain is shaken while a contusion causes direct injury to the brain. If the individual experiences loss of consciousness due to blunt head trauma, it can lead to more damage to the brain. Additionally, injury can also occur on the opposite side of the brain which is called contrecoupe in which the head is moving and strikes a stationary object. Take note that this blunt force causes the opposite side of the brain to pull away from the skull and ending up injured.

Blunt head trauma
The severe indications that can occur after a head injury was sustained include changes in the pupils, convulsion, irritability, inability to move the limbs, unusual behavior, personality changes, confusion, loss of consciousness, low breathing rate, drowsiness, lack of coordination, low blood pressure, slurred speech, severe headache, blurred vision, vomiting and stiff neck.

What are the causes of blunt head trauma?

Blunt head trauma can occur during accidents especially traffic accidents, physical assaults, sports injuries and falls. When playing certain sports, it is important to use a helmet and other protective gear in order to minimize the risk of head injury. Utilizing proper restraining devices in a vehicle such as the seatbelts can also prevent head injuries.

Symptoms

The symptoms of blunt head trauma can occur immediately after the injury or gradually develop within a few hours or days. The severe indications that can occur after a head injury was sustained include changes in the pupils, convulsion, irritability, inability to move the limbs, unusual behavior, personality changes, confusion, loss of consciousness, low breathing rate, drowsiness, lack of coordination, low blood pressure, slurred speech, severe headache, blurred vision, vomiting and stiff neck. If any of these symptoms manifest, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

What are the effects?

Any injury to the head can result to severe damage to the brain. A severe head trauma can cause language and speech problems, chronic headaches, coma, seizure, paralysis and changes in sensation such as vision, hearing, smell or taste. Additionally, bleeding can also occur inside the brain that can worsen the brain damage.

Always remember that after an individual sustained a blunt head injury, you should not move the individual unless needed. Do not try to clean any wounds that might be present in the head of the indiviual, shake the individual or remove any objects. The early delivery of care is vital thus you have to call for emergency assistance right away.

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