Developing a head injury first aid plan is probably the last thing on your mind until a head injury accident actually occurs. It is completely normal to feel a little nervous and confused when the person you love suffers a hard fall. Searching for information is a great place to start.
In the event of a head injury, the main thing to do is to stay present. While dealing with a brain injury can be a scary situation, the truth is that a lot of them are minor. Knowing the right steps can change the outcome of a scary situation.
Identifying When a Brain Injury Requires Emergency Care
You should seek medical help if the person behaves differently after a fall. If you are unsure whether the injury is serious or not, check their eyes and their speech pattern. Has the person blacked out for a second or so? If yes, then a medical check-up is a must.
Although some bumps may cause a small bruise on the brain, some may cause a brain concussion. It is always better to be on the safe side.
What Causes Brain Trauma?
So, what causes brain trauma in our daily lives? It isn’t always a high-speed crash or a major fall. Sometimes, a simple slip on a wet floor is enough to cause trouble. Other times, a minor bump during a sports game creates an injury. In fact, many incidents happen right at home.
Furthermore, the person’s age could be a contributing factor. Toddlers and seniors typically have more delicate brain tissue. Their skulls often absorb shock less effectively than those of a younger adult. Therefore, your head injury first aid knowledge should be on the forefront of your mind.
Head Injury First Aid Steps
Good head injury first aid begins with keeping the injured person very still. Please do not move the injured person. A head injury can cause the neck to be injured as well, which is important to the safety of the injured person.
First, you should see if the injured person is breathing easily. Second, you should look to see if there is any bleeding on the scalp. You may be able to stop the bleeding by using a clean cloth to cover the injured area. You should not press too hard on the bone.
It is perfectly natural to feel worried in this sort of situation, but do your best to remain calm.
Using the Brain Injury Checklist
It helps to have a brain injury checklist in your mind while you wait for professional help.
- Is the person acting like themselves?
- Do they know where they are?
- Mental confusion is often a major sign of a brain concussion.
If they seem confused, their brain is likely struggling to process information correctly. Consequently, you should stop all physical activity immediately to prevent further jarring of the brain tissue.
Furthermore, staying still is the best head injury first aid advice to keep in mind. While that seems like basic knowledge, it’s important because it keeps the brain in a low-stress state.
Recognizing the Immediate Red Flags
You might think that you are over-worrying, but you need to trust your instincts. If the person vomits several times, you need to call for help. If they have a seizure, they need a doctor right away.
Also, a proper head injury protocol is incomplete without checking for fluid or blood coming from the ears and nose. Do you see any of that? These can be a sign of a serious injury.
Cognitive and Physical Warning Signs
1. Slurred Speech and Confusion
Do they have problems saying the right words? Do they sound like they are mumbling? Is their speech slurred? This is usually the result of a disruption in the brain’s speech center.
2. One-Sided Weakness
Check if they can move both arms. Does one side of their face look like it’s drooping a little? This could be a sign of a lot of pressure on their brain. In these instances, your head injury first aid is to seek a trauma center immediately.
3. Unequal Pupils
Look at the little black circles in the center of their eyes. Are they different sizes? This is often a sign of pressure in their skull.
The above signs do not necessarily appear immediately. They can appear hours later. Therefore, your role in head injury first aid is to look out for these signs.
Managing Traumatic Brain Injury at the Scene
Focus on keeping things peaceful. Don’t give them anything to eat or drink yet. Their throat might not be able to swallow safely. This prevents choking.
Keep them in a cozy, safe spot. If they are awake, talk to them in a soft voice. Ask them simple questions like what month it is. Furthermore, ask if they know what happened. This will help you determine if the person is disoriented.
Evaluating Brain Bruise Symptoms
A bump from a fall usually heals quickly, but brain bruise symptoms involve the actual brain tissue. This type of injury is called a contusion, which is often more localized than a concussion. Consequently, it can cause a headache that gets worse every minute as internal pressure builds.
If their head hurts more and more, please listen to them carefully. This pain is typically not a normal headache and may signal bleeding in the brain.
What does this mean for you? It means you must start your emergency head injury protocol and seek professional help immediately. You are doing a great job by being so alert to these changes.
Providing First Aid for Concussion at Home
If the doctor says they can go home, your job is to keep the house quiet. This is the start of managing traumatic brain injury at home. Furthermore, you should avoid phones, tablets, or TV. These things are often too loud and bright for a healing brain. These devices can make headaches after brain injury events feel much worse.
Even reading a book can be too much work for some. Rest is the way to get better because the brain needs all its energy to heal itself.
Helpful Tips for Home Recovery
Keep the room dark and cool to help them relax. Furthermore, give them plenty of water to drink. Don’t give them any new pills without a doctor’s advice. Consequently, you should observe how they sleep at night. Make sure they stay away from caffeine for a while because it is a stimulant that can overwork a recovering brain.
Dealing with Headaches After Brain Injury
Many people experience headaches after brain injury that can last for several days or even a week. These are often very annoying and can make a person feel incredibly tired. However, if the pain becomes very sharp or suddenly worsens, you should go back to the emergency room.
Recovery is not always a straight line. Sometimes you’ll need a second check-up to confirm no new issues have developed.
You might see them get tired just from a short conversation. That is completely normal during the healing phase. Consequently, it simply means their brain needs to keep healing.
Why the “Lucid Interval” is Dangerous
Sometimes a person may feel fine right after the hit on the head. They may even laugh it off and say they are fine. However, an hour later, the person may suddenly become very sick or fall asleep. This short period during which the person feels well is called a “lucid interval.”
This short period of time may be deceptive. While the person may look fine on the outside, internal bleeding may be occurring. This is the reason for staying with the person for a full day after a head injury. You are the safety net for the person. Especially at first, your vigilance is their best protection.
Long-Term Managing of Traumatic Brain Injury
You might notice they get frustrated very easily or they might feel very sad for no reason. Consequently, managing traumatic brain injury is about supporting their feelings just as much as their physical health. These mood swings happen because the brain’s emotional center needs time to stabilize.
So what does this mean for you? It means you should try to be very patient as they navigate these changes. Doing a lot of hard work as a caregiver can be taxing. You might feel tired or overwhelmed. Make sure to take a break whenever you can. You are not alone in this journey. Neuro Trauma Centers is always here to support you both.
Your Trusted Guide to Head Injury First Aid
Taking care of someone is a big task. It is completely normal to feel worried. By using a good head injury protocol, you are helping them get well. You now understand the warning signs and symptoms of a brain injury.
Always remember that head injury first aid starts with you. Furthermore, you have the tools to handle this. You are not alone on this journey. At Neuro Trauma Centers, we’re here to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I’m okay after hitting my head?
You’re likely fine if you stay alert and your symptoms stay mild. However, monitor yourself for 24 hours. Are you feeling confused or sleepy? Those are red flags. Consequently, if you can think and speak clearly, it’s unlikely to be an emergency. Furthermore, if pain spikes, seek help.
What is the first aid treatment for a head injury?
The best head injury first aid is keeping the person still while checking their breathing. First, advise them to avoid moving their neck. Apply a cold pack to any swelling as well. Furthermore, avoid giving aspirin, as it can increase bleeding. That’s why you want to keep them calm. Silence is a vital part of care.
How to treat a head bump at home?
You should apply a cold pack and rest in a quiet room. First, use a cloth-covered ice pack for twenty minutes to reduce swelling. Keep a close eye on your symptoms for at least 24 hours. Consequently, avoiding screens and stress will help the brain heal faster.