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Head injury is any type of injury that occurs in the head, from the scalp, skull, to the brain. Head injuries need to be checked by a doctor because they can be fatal and require immediate treatment
Head injuries are divided into mild, moderate, and severe head injuries. Head injuries can occur for many reasons, but the most common causes of head injuries are traffic accidents, sports, falls, bumps, and physical violence.
Fatal Risk of Head Injury
The risk of fatal or life-threatening usually occurs in cases of severe head injury. Here are some conditions that can occur as a result of a severe head injury and threaten a person's life:
1. Hematoma
Head injuries can result in the rupture of blood vessels around the brain or the inner skull. As a result, blood collects or clots in the gap between the brain and the skull, forming a hematoma (blood clot).
Hematomas that occur inside the head, such as an epidural hematoma, are very serious conditions. This condition can increase the pressure within the skull, then result in loss of consciousness or even permanent brain damage.
2. Brain hemorrhage
Brain haemorrhage is also one of the fatal risks from head injury. Bleeding can occur in the space around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage) or within brain tissue (intracerebral hemorrhage).
Bleeding can cause swelling of the brain tissue around the bleeding. Swelling of one part of the brain can cause obstruction of blood flow to it. This can eventually lead to the death of cells in the brain.
3. Brain swelling
Swelling of the brain or cerebral edema can result from bleeding caused by a head injury or from the impact of the head itself. Swelling of brain tissue will increase the pressure inside the skull, so that the flow of blood and oxygen that should be received by the brain decreases.
If not treated immediately, the size of the swollen brain can get bigger until the brain is pushed by the skull bone. If so, damage or death of brain cells can occur.
4. skull fracture
The very strong skull bones can also crack or even break due to a very strong impact or shock. Fractured skull bones can cause injury and bleeding in brain tissue.
5. Complete brain tissue damage
Severe head injuries can also cause generalized brain tissue damage or diffuse axonal injury which is the most dangerous result of head injuries. If this happens, it can cause a person to experience permanent brain damage and even death.
Severe Head Injury Symptoms
The following are some of the symptoms you need to watch out for because they could indicate a serious head injury:
- Vomiting
- Seizure
- Lost memory
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of muscle control
- Prolonged headache
- Abnormal eye movements
- Inability to focus the eyes
- Balance or coordination problems
- Mood changes
- Clear discharge from the ear or nose
The symptoms of a severe head injury as above can be experienced by adults and children. However, the symptoms of a head injury in children may appear in slightly different forms, such as excessive crying, changes in behavior, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and easy drowsiness.
How to Prevent Head Injury
In order to avoid the risk of fatal head injury, it is very important to prevent head injury in the following ways:
- Wear a helmet whenever riding a motorcycle, cycling, using roller skates, and other similar activities. Make sure the helmets you and your child are wearing follow safety standards and are properly attached.
- Wear a seat belt when driving in a car.
- Create a safe home for children and the elderly.
- Wear safety equipment when exercising and recreational activities that pose a risk of falling, such as rafting and flying fox.
- Read and obey standard safety instructions everywhere, whether on a trip, at a recreation area, or in other public places.
- Do muscle strength and balance exercises to improve your balance.
- Check your eyes at least once a year and update your glasses when necessary, to avoid the risk of falls or accidents.
As a vital organ, the head should receive more protection and attention to avoid dangerous risks. By always behaving with caution and putting safety first, you can reduce the risk of fatal head injuries.
If you or someone you know suffers a severe head injury and symptoms of a severe head injury appear, immediately visit the emergency room or the nearest doctor so that you can get the right examination and treatment.
