How to Identify Symptoms of a Head Injury

Head injuries can be as minor as a slight bump on the head, or entail more severe conditions, such as a concussion or a contusion (bruising on the brain). According to the Brain Injury Association of America, a concussion can occur even without a direct impact to the head.
Symptoms of a head injury may appear immediately or develop over several hours. Even if someone does not a have visible head wound or seems lucid and feels fine, it's important to keep an eye on these signs, which may point to a more severe injury that requires medical attention.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Recognizing the Symptoms

1. Watch for jerky eye movements. Determine if the person can track objects with his eyes. Notice if he has dilated pupils or uneven dilation (the pupils are not the same size).

2. Watch for changes in hearing, smell, vision or taste. Notice if the person is feeling dizzy or nauseous, or vomiting.

3. See if the person is behaving clumsily or in a confused manner. She may experience speech or language problems, such as slurring or perseveration (uncontrollable repetition of words or phrases).

4. Watch for someone who is acting very drowsy, sluggish, groggy or tired.

5. Be alert for fluid coming out of the nose, mouth or ears. (The fluid may be clear or bloody.)

6. Ask if the person has a severe headache (which may not appear until quite late) or a stiff neck.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not move a person who has fallen and sustained a head injury, unless it is absolutely required. Do not drink alcohol within 48 hours after a head injury. Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil) or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), because they can increase the risk of bleeding.

Resources

• Brain Injury Association of America

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[penmom]

on 10/27/2009 My daughter just fell after rough housing with my older children. Thanks for this article, it was very helpful.