Head Injuries: Most Common Causes and Symptoms

A head injury is one of the top reasons why millions of people go to the emergency room each year. The implications are profound. Besides a high fatality rate, head injuries can lead to long-term disability or mental impairment. Many people who suffer a head injury require extended professional care, and a full recovery is not always possible. Raising awareness about the risks associated with head injuries is thus imperative.

Most Common Causes of Head Injuries

Before delving into more details, it’s important to note that the most severe head injuries are those that affect the brain. They are called traumatic head injuries. Here are the most common causes:

Falls

Head injuries resulting from falls are a common cause of hospitalization and death, especially among the elderly. But falls can also happen in unsecured public places, or in the workplace.

Car or Motorcycle Accidents                  

Car and motorcycle accidents are responsible for some of the most severe forms of head injury, often resulting in permanent disability or death.

Violent Assaults

Violent assaults are a leading cause of head injuries, especially among men. Statistics show that men are several times more likely than women to suffer a head injury due to violence. Men also take longer women than women to recover from traumatic brain injury.

Sports & Recreational Activities

Most people engaged in sports use proper gear to prevent head injuries. Yet accidents happen. Sports-related activities that cause the highest number of head injuries are football, softball, baseball, basketball, and cycling.

Key Tip in Case of Head Injury

In many situations, head injuries happen due to someone’s reckless, negligent, or violent behavior. If you suffer a head injury that affects your personal and professional life, it’s crucial to establish who is responsible so you can receive adequate compensation. Always hire an attorney familiar with local legislation or the particulars of your situation. A Russian personal injury attorney can help you if your accident happened in Russia or the liable party is Russian, for example.

Most Common Symptoms of Head Injuries

Learning about the symptoms of head injuries is crucial so you won’t minimize the severity of your trauma due to adrenalin. However, the symptoms can vary depending on the type of injury and its location.

A mild head injury can cause headaches but does not lead to loss of consciousness. It only affects the outside of the head, so the most obvious signs are bruises and scratches.

A person with a moderate head injury may lose consciousness briefly, but the most common symptoms are headache, dizziness, nausea, persistent vomiting, confusion, and memory loss. The signs of injury on the outside of the head are also prominent.

Severe head injuries can mean skull fractures, various types of hematoma and hemorrhages, contusions (bruising in the brain), and concussions. The symptoms are aggressive or irrational behavior, lack of coordination, loss of muscle control, seizures, fluid oozing from ears or nose, and loss of consciousness.

Call your local emergency services in case of a head injury. Avoid any sudden motions as they can worsen your condition. If you don’t go to the emergency room, carefully monitor your symptoms for a couple of days.