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Head Injury Center - Janesville, WI

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Janesville, Wisconsin

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Head Injury

Head injury introduction

Head injuries are one of the most common causes of death and disability in the United States. Every year, almost a quarter million people are hospitalized because of traumatic injuries to the brain, and 50,000 people die. As well, 80-90,000 people sustain long-term or lifelong disabilities because of a brain injury each year. Children are not excluded, with more than 2,500 deaths and almost a half million emergency department visits per year for head injuries.

Blows to the head most often cause brain injury, it is important to remember that the face and jaw are located in the front of the head. Brain injury may also be associated with injuries to these structures. It is also important to note that a head injury does not always mean that there is also a brain injury.

The brain is a rather soft, pliable material almost jelly-like in feel, and is surrounded by a thin layer of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The brain is surrounded by thin layers of tissue called the meninges; 1) the pia mater, 2) the arachnoid mater, and 3) the dura mater. The CSF is present in the space beneath the arachnoid layer called the subarachnoid space.

The dura mater is very thick and has septae, or partitions, that help support the brain in the skull. The septae attach to the inner lining of the bones of the skull. The dura mater also helps support the large veins that return blood from the brain to the heart.

The spaces between the meninges are usually very small but they can fill with blood when trauma occurs, and this build-up of blood can potentially press into the brain tissue and cause damage.

The skull protects the brain from trauma but it does not absorb any of the impact from a blow. Direct blows may cause fractures of the skull; there can be a contusion or bruising and bleeding to the brain tissue directly beneath the injury site. However, the brain can bounce aro...

Recommended Reading Related to Head Injury

Fainting (Syncope) »

Introduction to fainting (syncope)

Fainting, "blacking out," or syncope is the temporary loss of consciousness followed by the return to full wakefulness. This loss of consciousness may be accompanied by loss of muscle tone that can result in falling or slumping over. To better understand why fainting can occur; it is helpful to explain why somebody is awake.

The brain has multiple parts, including two hemispheres, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. The brain requires blood flow to provide oxygen and glucose (sugar) to its cells to sustain life. For the body to be awake, an area known as the reticular activating system located in the brain stem needs to be turned on, and at least one brain hemisphere needs to be functioning. For fainting or syncope to occur, either the reticular activating system needs to lose its blood supply, or both hemispheres of the brain need to be deprived of blood, oxygen, or glucose. If blood sugar levels...

Emergency Contact for Janesville

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Janesville Hospitals *

Mercy Health System
1000 Mineral Point Ave
Janesville, WI 53547
(608)756-6000

Beloit Memorial Hospital
1969 W Hart Rd
Beloit, WI 53511
(608)364-5011

Edgerton Hospital and Health Services
313 Stoughton Rd
Edgerton, WI 53534
(608)884-3441

Stoughton Hospital
900 Ridge St
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608)873-6611

Fort Memorial Hospital
611 Sherman Ave E
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
(920)568-5000

Singer Mental Health Center
4402 N Main St
Rockford, IL 61103
(815)987-7096

Rockford Memorial Hospital
2400 N Rockton Ave
Rockford, IL 61103
(815)971-5000

Mercy Harvard Hospital
901 Grant St
Harvard, IL 60033
(815)943-5431

Aurora Lakeland Medical Center
W3985 County Rd NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262)741-2000

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
5666 E State St
Rockford, IL 61108
(815)226-2000

SwedishAmerican Health System
1401 E State St
Rockford, IL 61104
(815)968-4400

Van Matre HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital
950 S Mulford Rd
Rockford, IL 61108
(815)381-8500

Monroe Clinic & Hospital
515 22nd Ave
Monroe, WI 53566
(608)324-1000

St Marys Hospital Medical Center
700 S Park St
Madison, WI 53715
(608)251-6100

Meriter Hospital
202 S Park St
Madison, WI 53715
(608)267-6000

University of Wisconsin Hospitals & Clinics
600 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53792
(608)263-6400

William S Middleton Memorial VA Hospital
2500 Overlook Terr
Madison, WI 53705
(608)256-1901

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