Sri_Sudharsanam

1
MIND YOUR HEAD! Emergency medical services
2
(No Transcript)
3

MIND YOUR HEAD!
Injury to your skull, scalp or brain ranging from
a mild bump, bruise to traumatic brain damage is
categorised under head injury.
Skull fractures, scalp wounds, and concussions
are some common examples of head injuries.
However, the treatments and consequences vary
depending upon the cause and severity of the
wound. If the skull remains intact, it is a
closed head injury. When the scalp and skull
enter your brain, it is a penetrating or open
head injury. This requires emergency medical
services.
The seriousness of a head injury is hard to
assess just with an external examination. Even
minor head injuries have a tendency to bleed a
lot, while some major injuries dont bleed at
all. Nevertheless, it is important to treat all
head injuries seriously and have them thoroughly
assessed by a certified doctor.  
4
Causes Basically, divided into two categories,
head injuries are caused due to a direct blow to
the head or due to severe shaking. Common amongst
children and infants, violent shaking can result
in head injuries. An injury caused by the blow to
the head is generally found in falls, physical
assaults, motor vehicle accidents, and
sports-related collisions. Severe head injuries
can result in damage to the spine too, but
otherwise, the skull protects your brain from
eventual harm.
Types Haemorrhage Incessant and uncontrolled
bleeding into the space around the brain is
observed. The condition is also known as
subarachnoid haemorrhage. In the case of
intracerebral haemorrhage, the injury is within
the brain tissue.
Hematoma Clotting or collection of blood outside
of the blood vessels, which can be very serious
if found in the brain. Pressure builds up inside
your skull, causing loss of consciousness and
even permanent brain damage.
5
Concussion When the impact on the head is severe
enough to cause brain injury, it results in a
concussion. Forces of sudden deceleration and
acceleration or the result of the brain hitting
against the hard walls of your skull are some of
the major causes. Concussion, however, is
temporary. But permanent damage is imminent with
repeated concussions.
Skull fracture The skull, unlike most bones in
the body, does not have bone marrow. Due to this,
it is difficult to break and extremely strong.
But a broken skull cannot absorb the impact of a
blow, and the damage to your brain is likely
extreme.
Do not ignore head injuries. Reach out to
emergency medical services at SSH.