Should You Seek Medical Care Any Time You Bump Your Head?
With most head injuries, because there’s no visible sign of trauma, you may be uncertain as to whether you should seek medical attention. Clearly, if you had any significant impact between your head or neck and another object, such as a dashboard or the ground, you should immediately go somewhere for an assessment. But what if the impact seems inconsequential—you bumped your head on an overhead cupboard or cabinet, for example. What if there was no impact at all? Maybe you were in a car accident, or you slipped and fell and your head snapped back and forth. When should you go to an emergency room or urgent care facility or schedule an appointment with your primary care physician?
Get an Assessment After Any Injury Involving Your Head or Neck
The short answer is always. Your brain is an extremely delicate organ, but essential for quality of life. Even a minor bump or blow can lead to bruising or bleeding, which can then cause swelling or inflammation. Because your brain is enclosed in your skull, when there’s swelling, there can be increased pressure on the inner part of your brain, which can affect both cognitive and physical motor skills.
There are, however, some clear signs that you should have an experienced medical professional do some diagnostic testing for a potential concussion or other traumatic brain injury:
- If you’ve lost consciousness at all, even for an instant, you need to be treated as if you have suffered a TBI.
- A headache is to be expected, but if it persists for more than a few hours, you should seek treatment.
- If you are experiencing difficulty communicating with or understanding others, get an assessment.
- If you feel any weakness in your legs or arms, it may be a sign of a traumatic brain injury.
- Persistent vomiting or nausea is often an indication of a TBI.
- An unusual sensitivity to light, noise, or smell is characteristic of a traumatic brain injury.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of concussion or other traumatic brain injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas, and San Antonio.
