The severity of symptoms of a head injury depends on the type of injury sustained. Head injuries encompass mild or severe brain bruises called concussions, skull fractures and lacerations of arteries in the brain. When a head injury occurs, symptoms may not be apparent until hours or days after the injury. There may be no outward signs of injury, such as bruises, lacerations or fractures to the skull, but inside the brain may bleed or swell.
Loss of Consciousness
Loss of consciousness, or passing out, may occur immediately at the time of injury or several hours later. According to Donna D. Ignatavicius and M. Linda Workman authors of "Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care," loss of consciousness is an ominous sign: it can indicate a serious head injury. Anyone who experiences loss of consciousness should be taken to the hospital immediately.
Nausea
Nausea can be a symptom of head injury. A patient may feel nauseous immediately following a head injury or nausea may develop later, along with other symptoms such as headache.
Headache
Headache is another symptom of head injury that may occur immediately or a while after the injury. It can signal more serious complications. The Society of Critical Care Medicine reports that patients who complain about severe headache or "the worst headache of their life" may have a serious head injury called a "subarachnoid hemorrhage." This is a medical emergency. Any patient who complains of headache, especially severe headache, following a head injury should see a doctor immediately.
Altered Behavior
Scott and White Hospital stresses that any altered behavior such as confusion or irritability, especially in children, can be a serious symptom of head injury. Restlessness and clumsiness, personality changes, lack of coordination and slurred speech can also be among the symptoms. Patients who exhibit altered behavior should see a physician.
Unequal Pupils
In cases of serious head injury, unequal pupils may be a late symptom. A change in the shape of a pupil or unequal size of pupils should be reported to a doctor immediately.
Fluid Draining from Ears or Nose
Any drainage from the ears or nose after a head injury, whether clear or bloody, is cause to seek medical care. The fluid needs to be tested to determine if it is cerebral spinal fluid. Damage to the meninges, the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord, is serious and needs immediate medical attention.
Impaired Senses
Impaired senses can be a symptom of head injury. Reports of blurred vision, double vision or loss of vision should be checked out. Difficulty hearing, ringing in the ears or loss of hearing should also be evaluated by a doctor. Even taste and smell can be affected by a head injury. People should be alert to the development of these symptoms following a head injury.
Weakness
Other symptoms of head injury include sudden or progressive weakness and inability to move extremities. Any of these symptoms require medical evaluation.
References
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care"; Donna D. Ignatavicius and M. Linda Workman; 2006
- Scott and White Hospital: Head Injury
- "Fundamental Critical Care Support"; Society of Critical Care Medicine; 2007
