Steps to Take Immediately After a Head Injury
When you suffer a head injury, as the result of either blunt force trauma or a violent and sudden jerking of your head, the actions you take in the first 24 to 48 hours can be critical. Even if you feel mostly normal, that can change quickly. Among the common reactions to head trauma are swelling and internal bleeding, which can have serious consequences. Here’s a guide for the minutes and hours immediately following any type of head injury.
Stop What You’re Doing
Particularly in competitive sports, participants wish to stay in the game even if they suffer a head injury. Doing so might take your mind off the pain, but it can seriously aggravate any injury. After any head injury, you should sit or lie down so that your body and brain can rest. It’s generally considered risky to sleep in the immediate aftermath of a head injury, and you should have someone with you at all times, regularly checking to see if you are mentally alert, slurring your words, or repeating yourself.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Regardless of the severity of your injury, it’s always a good idea to immediately seek medical attention at an urgent care facility or hospital emergency department. Medical professionals know how to recognize the symptoms of a concussion or other head injury and have the tools to conduct necessary testing or provide critical treatment. If you can move about under your own power, have someone take you to get care. If not, call an ambulance.
Listen to Medical Professionals
Emergency department physicians or your personal physician will likely prescribe a regimen to help you safely recover from head trauma. You may require hospitalization for a few days so that you can be continually monitored, and you may have check-ins scheduled on a frequent basis as you recover. Most important, don’t try to accelerate your recovery beyond what your doctor prescribes. The best way to recover from a concussion or traumatic brain injury is steadily and progressively. Always seek the advice of your doctor before engaging in any type of strenuous activity.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer a concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). 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.