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Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• Head injury introduction
• What are the causes of head injury?
• What are the symptoms of a head injury?
• What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?
• When should I contact a doctor about a head injury?
• How is a head injury diagnosed?
• How is a head injury treated?
• What is the prognosis for a head injury?
• How can a head injury be prevented?
• What about a head injury in infants and young children?
• Head Injury At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Head Injury - Cause
• Find a local Doctor in your town
• Head Injury Index

• Brain injuries account for thousands of deaths each year in the US. As well, significant numbers of people suffer temporary and permanent disability due to brain injury.
  
  
• Head injury does not necessarily mean brain injury.
  
  
• Bleeding in the brain usually occurs at the time of injury, but symptoms may develop over time.
  
  
• Medical care should be sought for any patient who is not fully awake after an injury. Activate Emergency medical services or call 911.
  
  
• Computerized tomography is used to look for bleeding and swelling in the brain.
  
  
• Not all patients with minor head injuries require CT scanning.
  
  
• Bleeding in the brain may require neurosurgery to remove blood clots and relieve pressure on the brain.
  
  
• Not all brain injuries require neurosurgery.
  
  
• Prevention is key to avoiding head injury, especially in motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries.

REFERENCES:

S.A. Schutzman, MD, P. Barnes MD, A. Duhaime, MD, D. Greenes, MD, C. Homer, MD, D. Jaffe, MD, R. J. Lewis, MD, PHD, T. G. Luerssen, MD, J. Schunk, MD; "Evaluation and Management of Children Younger Than Two Years Old With Apparently Minor Head Trauma: Proposed Guidelines." Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Vol. 107 No. 5