What to do in case of head trauma
Businesses should be prepared for anything. While most head injuries are not serious, and will get better on their own, there can be more serious injuries secondary to trauma, falls, or sports injuries that need specialized attention and immediate first aid. What you can do for another person suffering from trauma can make a lot of difference, so read on to know how you can help:
Types of head injury
The most common type of head injury is concussion. This is when trauma or a hit on the head makes the brain jiggle in the skull. Another type of brain injury is a contusion, which is a bruise on the brain.
In severe trauma, the skull bone can also get fractured and evaluation from top neurosurgeon in Karachi becomes mandatory. In cases when there is no bleeding or wound in sight, there is closed head trauma. Without evaluation it can be difficult to tell if the closed head injury is minor or serious.
If there is bleeding from a wound on the head, it is an open head injury.
Signs of a serious head injury
Anyone who loses consciousness following head trauma can have a potentially serious head injury. Additionally, if someone has serious head wound or skull fracture, immediate help should be sought. Other signs include bleeding from nose, mouth or ear. Disturbances in speech, dizziness, vision or unequal size of pupil along with weakness or paralysis, neck stiffness are all signs of a serious brain injury.
Do not move the person
Following severe head trauma, call the emergency services of the respective area and in the meantime, keep the person who suffered the trauma or head injury still. Ensure that there are no jerky movements and don’t move the person at all, unless absolutely necessary. Head trauma can involve nerve damage that can be compounded by unnecessary, jerky movements; therefore, be sure to keep the person still until help arrives.
Try to stop the bleed
Head wound have a tendency to bleed profusely. Consequently, there can be severe and life-threatening blood loss. If you can, apply firm pressure to the bleeding site with a clean cloth or a sterile gauze to staunch excessive flow of blood. However, be sure to not apply pressure if there are signs of skull fracture.
For someone who loses consciousness
If someone loses consciousness and is not breathing, start CPR and call for help. On the other hand, if the person is breathing but unconscious, then roll them onto their side, without twisting their spine or neck.
What to do after injury?
Patient and their attendees should stay vigilant after head injury even after discharge from hospital. Patient should be sure to rest and avoid any strenuous activity at least for the first 48 hours, and someone should stay with the patient during this time. Apart from the medication prescribed by the healthcare professional, no other painkiller especially NSAIDs should be taken. If need arises, return to the hospital for a re-evaluation by best neurosurgeon in Karachi for worsening symptoms.