Traumatic Head Injury: A Problem Of Immense Magnitude

There is a great risk that traumatic head injury can and does lead to damaging of the delicate brain tissue and even if such damage is not actually visible; traumatic head injury can lead to serious consequences as well as results in alteration of the lives of those affected by the condition. There are many different brain damage symptoms and these will vary according to the type as well as extent of the injuries. However, traumatic head injury is mostly a result of having met with an automobile accident; or because of falls and even due to firearms.

Penetrating Head Injuries Or Close Head Injuries

Traumatic head injury is of two types: the first type is the one known as penetrating head injuries; while the second type is known as closed head injuries. The first type of traumatic head injury is usually an open wound that is also visible as well as is a result of penetration into the skull as well as brain tissue. The second type of traumatic head injury is the one that is very common and it is known to vary considerably as far as its severity is concerned and is typically no worse than minor concussions.

A worrying aspect to traumatic head injury is that often the symptoms of such a condition are not immediately noticeable or apparent. The only way that a person may suspect that symptoms have developed is when he or she suffers from unconsciousness at the site of the accident; or, goes into a coma or starts to suffer seizures. It is therefore imperative that immediate medical help be provided to anyone that has suffered from serious head injuries so that the traumatic head injury can be contained and properly managed.

Common symptoms of traumatic head injury include suffering from headaches, being confused, feeling nauseous as well as having problems concentrating as to having difficulties in being able to remember things properly. The patient may even begin to notice changes to their personalities and can become angry, irritable as well as perhaps even becomes depressed. Unless head trauma symptoms are recognized and treated in time they could lead to very severe consequences.

Unfortunately, traumatic head injury is a problem of immense magnitude and going by what the Brain Injury Association says; almost two million Americans suffer from such a condition on a yearly basis with about eighty thousand cases resulting in long-term disabilities.

Pediatric Head Trauma: A Big Challenge For Doctors

Pediatric head trauma is a very serious issue – mainly because it accounts for much mortality as well as morbidity amongst children and in fact, as many as a tenth of all children are known to have sustained significant injuries to their heads during their formative years. It is thus a big challenge facing doctors who need to identify children suffering from pediatric head trauma so that their (the children’s) condition can be managed in a more specialized manner.

Induces Death Or Disability

It is important that doctors are able to treat pediatric head trauma in time – perhaps through use of resuscitation as well as by recognizing the condition, and also through affecting timely management of any post traumatic complications (neurological) that might otherwise even lead to death or disability among children suffering from pediatric head trauma. The basic mechanism of head injuries in children will vary according to the age of the child. In the case of neonates there is greater risk of linear fractures to the skull due to the passage of the head through birth canal or even due to use of delivery forceps.

Other common reasons why pediatric head trauma cases occur include falls from beds as well as from changing tables; serious injuries to the head can also lead to premature death of the child. Pediatric head trauma cases are also commonly ascribed to children being involved in automobile accidents; especially if the child is walking or cycling and he or she is struck by another vehicle. In their adolescent years, these children are frequently the drivers and they are therefore more likely to suffer from severe injuries to the head.

Doctors need to be able to properly assess cases of pediatric head trauma and they will most often begin by evaluating the child’s ABC or, airway; breathing and finally, circulation. Another step that doctors need to take when assessing cases of pediatric head trauma is to make a neurological examination along the lines of the Glasgow Coma Scale score and to also do their best to determine papillary reaction to light as well as extraocular movements.

The treatment of pediatric head trauma can be divided into categories which are low risk injuries as well as high risk injuries. Traumatic head injuries, both in children and also in adults, is another major cause for concern as there is great risk that such injuries can lead to brain damage and further serious consequences.

When assessing cases of pediatric head trauma the age of the child will play an important role in making of the prognosis though fortunately, children are actually able to deal with their head trauma a lot better than can adults.