Each year millions of people suffer a head injury. Most of these injuries are not significant due to the bony structure of the head. Because the skull protects the delicate brain, most head injuries tend to be cuts and bruises. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are two classifications of head injuries: closed and open. A closed injury means that the skull was not penetrated, and open injury indicates that an object has broken the skull and penetrated the brain. Within the framework of these two categories of injury, many different types of symptoms can occur.
Physical Signs
Persons who experience a head injury can develop physical signs of brain dysfunction. These outward or visible signs indicate that some damage has occurred to the brain. One of the most common signs is a change in the dilation of pupils. According to the Merck Manual, the third cranial nerve, or ocularmotor nerve, controls pupil dilation and when damaged or irritated by inflammation, the pupils will not react appropriately or will present as different sizes. Some of the nerves that control facial muscles, when damaged, can cause facial paralysis. The patient may also have fluid or blood draining from the nose and ears, a serious sign. In severe cases, the brain may have been so badly damaged that paralysis and even coma can result.
Seizure
According to Braininjury.com, seizures commonly occur at some point after a head injury and the greater the injury, the more likely the development of siezures. In addition, people who have had brain trauma are 12 times more likely to develop seizures than the general population. Sometimes seizures will begin almost immediately, but often the onset is delayed for weeks or months after the injury.
Senses
Depending on what part of the brain was injured, it is possible to have a wide variety of changes or loss of the senses. Many patients report a loss or dysfunction in hearing, vision, smell and taste. Slurred speech and blurred vision are two of the most common symptoms in this category. The impairment of any of the senses is a sign of serious brain injury.
Confusion
Commonly, a patient who has had a recent brain injury experiences profound confusion and difficulty concentrating. A patient will also experience drowsiness or the inability to wake up. Agitation, anger, combativeness, unusual behavior and personality changes commonly present after an injury, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Dizziness
A dramatic brain injury can lead to dizziness and loss of coordination and may result in nausea and vomiting. Headaches are also a very common symptom that accompanies dizziness and nausea.
