Head Injury In Children – Symptoms and Treatment
Whether you’re a parent or a guardian, you’re probably aware of the fact that a head injury can be devastating. There are certain symptoms to look out for, and you’ll need to know how to prevent and treat these injuries.
Symptoms
Symptoms of head injury in children vary from child to child. Some children can have symptoms of concussion for weeks, while other children may only have a mild headache. In any case, it’s important to get the child evaluated by a doctor.
Children’s brains are still developing, so it’s important to be careful. A head injury can change your child’s reaction time, balance, speech, and memory. It can also lead to dizziness, blurry vision, and changes in behavior.
The best treatment for a mild head injury is physical rest. This gives your child’s brain a chance to heal. It can also help relieve pain and swelling.
Children may also need to be sedated for a short period of time. Depending on the injury, a cold compress can help reduce swelling. You may also need to give your child clear liquids to drink.
The most common symptoms of concussion in children include a headache, loss of memory, and confusion. They also may have blurry vision and a lack of energy. A concussion may last for days or weeks, so it’s important to get the child evaluated as soon as possible.
Swelling is also common after a head injury. It may take a week to completely go away, but the swelling should subside. It’s also important to keep a cold pack on the swelling for 20 minutes every three or four hours.
Another symptom of head injury in children is vomiting. If your child vomits, give him or her clear liquids. You can also try to give your child acetaminophen to relieve the pain. This won’t work on serious injuries, but it can be a good idea to help prevent a big lump.
A head injury is not unusual for kids, but if it occurs, it’s important to get your child evaluated by a doctor. If your child has a serious injury, he or she will need to stay still for a long period of time to have an MRI of the brain.
Lastly, you should watch for other symptoms. If your child has trouble waking up or has lost consciousness, call 911. A CT scan may also be necessary.
Causes
Depending on the injury, symptoms may appear as early as hours after the head injury. This includes changes in sleep patterns, mood, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Swelling is common after a head injury and can take weeks to disappear. Applying an ice pack to the injured area can help reduce swelling. However, do not leave the ice pack on the skin for more than 20 minutes. The ice may cause skin injury.
Loss of consciousness is another symptom that may occur after a head injury. When the person is no longer able to respond to touch or talk, it is a sign of a brain injury. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness. If your child has this symptom, call the emergency room.
Children who have a head injury should be observed in the emergency room for several hours. This allows the healthcare team to assess the child’s symptoms and decide if a visit is necessary.
Some of the most common symptoms after a head injury include headache, blurry vision, and loss of balance. In addition to these symptoms, children can also experience cognitive fatigue, which is a condition that causes the brain to work harder to focus. This fatigue can interfere with a child’s ability to learn, play, and concentrate.
Unlike adults, children’s brains are still in development. This means that recovery from a head injury may take a longer time than it takes an adult to recover. For example, a child with a moderate head injury may not be able to return to normal activities for days or weeks. Depending on the severity of the injury, your child may have to go to the hospital for a CT scan.
Head injuries in children are generally minor, but they can lead to serious complications. It is important that you take your child to the hospital immediately if you suspect that they have suffered a head injury.
In addition to head injuries, your child may also develop symptoms of a concussion, which is a mild traumatic brain injury. These symptoms are usually temporary. However, if your child experiences a concussion, call the ambulance and take him or her to the hospital.
Treatment
Depending on the type of head injury, treatment may vary. A head injury may affect the brain, the skull, the scalp, or the scalp and skull. Children are at a higher risk of head injury than adults. This injury may also occur as a result of a fall, a motor vehicle accident, a sports injury, or child abuse.
Severe head injuries can cause brain damage, loss of hearing, and loss of sensory function, including vision. These children may also need speech therapy and occupational therapy. Survivors of these injuries may need medical care for the rest of their lives.
If a head injury occurs, it is best to call a doctor or emergency room right away. They can then monitor your child’s condition and see if it is serious enough to need further medical care. In some cases, your child may require an overnight stay in the hospital. A follow-up visit is recommended within 24 hours to make sure your child is not developing any signs of brain injury.
A head injury may cause swelling and pressure on the brain. If your child is experiencing swelling, the best treatment is to use a cold pack on the affected area. Alternatively, you can place a cold pack on the head for about 20 minutes every three to four hours.
Children may also experience a mild headache after a head injury. You can treat the headache with paracetamol, but this may not be enough to relieve your child’s pain. You can also try using a cold compress to help the swelling go down.
If a head injury in a child is severe, he or she may need to stay in the hospital overnight. The child may also have a CT scan, which uses X-rays and computer imaging to create detailed images of any part of the body. This can be a more accurate way of identifying recent head injuries than a skull x-ray.
Treatment of head injury in children will vary depending on the age and general health of the child. A child who has a head injury should not be given any medications without the doctor’s recommendation.
Prevention
Whether your child has had a mild head injury or a traumatic brain injury, you’ll want to make sure they get the care they need to heal properly. Head injuries can happen when your child falls or is hit by a car, or they can be caused by playing sports. You can help prevent head injuries by teaching your child to use protective equipment.
If you think your child has a head injury, call your doctor immediately. They may need to do a CAT scan of the head to find out the extent of the injury.
The symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury include problems with balance, thinking, and sleep. They can last for up to a month. In addition, your child may have some changes in their emotional state. Your doctor may recommend different treatment options.
If your child has lost consciousness, turn them on their side to prevent choking. If they don’t respond to you, call 911. If your child has seizures, turn them onto their side to protect their neck.
Your doctor may also order tests to find out the severity of the injury. Your child’s doctor will let you know if your child needs special care at home.
A head injury is a very serious injury. It can change your child’s life. If your child has a concussion, you should not take them back to play until they are completely healed. You can also help prevent concussions by making sure your child’s protective equipment is fitted correctly and properly maintained.
A traumatic brain injury can be caused by any type of injury. The condition is common among young children, adolescents, and adults. The four most common causes are motor vehicle accidents, falls, assaults, and head-to-head collisions.
Traumatic brain injury can be very serious. In some cases, it can result in death. If your child has a concussion, follow your doctor’s advice to help reduce the effects.
Head injuries are common in children, and you should always make sure you know how to prevent them. Head injuries can include brain injuries and scalp injuries.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/