Signs of a Head Injury

Following an accident or fall, it is essential to be alert for a potential head injury. Leaving a head injury untreated can lead to severe problems.

Sometimes, it quickly becomes apparent that a head injury has occurred. Other times, the injury is less severe, or the symptoms take longer to appear. If you hit your head, be on the lookout for the following signs and visit an urgent care center or the emergency room immediately.

Symptoms Within a Few Hours of the Injury

Symptoms of a severe head injury tend to appear within just a few hours of the injury occurring. If you notice any of the following symptoms, visit your doctor, urgent care, or the emergency room as soon as possible:

• Slurred speech
• Seizures or convulsions
• Repeated nausea or vomiting
• Headache that worsens
• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty staying awake
• One pupil is larger than the other

If the potential injury involves hitting your head at any speed, such as being in a car crash, you should see the doctor immediately. The same is true if the potential injury is from falling from more than a meter in height or if there is a head wound or dent in the head.

You should also visit the doctor right away if any of the following applies:

• You were taking drugs or drinking alcohol before the injury
• You have a blood clotting disorder or take blood-thinning medication
• You have previously had brain surgery

Symptoms a Day or Two After the Injury

Just because you did not experience any of the above symptoms within hours of the injury does not mean that the incident left no damage. Pay close attention to how you feel in the days following the injury.

Remember that symptoms of a concussion can take weeks to appear. Any of the following symptoms are indications that you should see a doctor to check for head injuries:

• Changes in vision or blurry vision
• Changes to sleep patterns
• Persistent neck or head pain
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Sensitivity to noise or light
• Changes in mood or irritability

Potential Long-Term Effects of Head Injuries

You should take the possibility of head injuries seriously. Without proper treatment, head injuries can lead to death or long-term issues. The following are some of the possible long-term consequences of head injuries that you want to avoid or minimize by seeking prompt medical care:

Balance and Coordination Problems

Head injuries can lead to issues with balance and coordination. These issues can make walking, driving and performing other daily activities challenging. This long-term effect can sometimes be mitigated with physical therapy focusing on challenging the vestibular system. With patience and PT, patients can relearn their coordination and balance.

Memory Problems

It is possible to experience memory loss after traumatic brain injuries. Patients can struggle to remember new events or information. They may also struggle to recall memories from before the injury. This can have significant consequences for personal relationships, school and work.

Personality Changes

Personality changes are among the most challenging of the long-term effects of head injuries. Some people have a completely different personality following head injuries. They can become more aggressive, impulsive, or irritable. This can be particularly challenging for friends and family to handle.

Seek Care for Head Injuries at Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center

At Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center, our primary goal is to provide the residents of Sussex County with exceptional service and the proper billing for the care they need. Our combined emergency room and urgent care in Milton is fully equipped to handle everything from allergies to chest pain 24/7 with on-site labs, x-ray, ultrasound and CT.

Every patient at our ER and urgent care walk-in clinic is seen by an ER-trained physician at every visit, regardless of the level of care they need. Our approach makes care more affordable by avoiding the higher cost of the emergency room if patients only require urgent care services. Our ER and urgent care clinic is open 24/7.

Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center is located at 18383 Hudson Road, Milton, DE 19968.