Head and neck injuries can occur from a number of things car accidents, falls, physical assaults and even sports related injuries, and are perceived to be very delicate and are often treated with extreme caution and care. These injuries normally occur simultaneously and a blow to the head carries with it potential trauma to the neck. Neck injuries in turn can trigger spinal cord injuries.
What qualifies as an injury to the head? Any form of trauma that causes any damage to the scalp, skull or the brain qualifies as a head injury, be it a minor slight bump or a serious blow to the brain. The most common head injuries include concussions (traumatic brain injury in which the brain is shaken), scalp wounds and skull fractures.
This article on managing head and neck injuries is for learning purposes only. To learn to manage serious emergencies such as spinals and concussions sign up for first aid training with a credible provider near you.
Symptoms of Head and Neck Injuries
Symptoms of head injuries do not necessarily have to portray themselves or occur right away unless they are external, the scalp being intact and the skull not bearing a fracture does not mean your good to go or you do not require medical attention. The head may seem fine but there might be internal bleeding in and around the brain or you might even suffer a concussion.
A concussion does not always lead to a loss of consciousness; it can be portrayed through the simple things like spacing out, headaches and confusion, serious cases result in unconsciousness, comas, irregular walking balance and unusual eye movements. In any serious head injury, the neck and spinal cord is also affected.
The most common symptoms of head injuries include;
- Feeling sleepy and drowsy.
- Severe headaches.
- Abnormal behavior.
- Paralysis.
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Different size pupils.
Providing First Aid
Before treating or giving emergency first aid to persons with moderate to serious head injuries, call an ambulance. Proceed by checking the persons breathing and airway and if need be, perform CPR or rescue breathing. Once you have established that the breathing heart rate is normal, assume a spinal injury and stabilize the head and neck by keeping it in line with the spine by placing your hands on both sides of the persons head and prevent movement.
If there is any vomiting, carefully tilt the persons head, neck and body as a unit to protect the spine. Children usually vomit after a head injury.
In case of any bleeding stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a clean cloth, if it soaks, do not remove it, add another piece of cloth. If you suspect a skull fracture then do not apply direct pressure to the wound or remove any debris, just cover it up. Finally place ice packs to any swollen area.
Head and Neck pains and injuries can be major or minor; minor neck injuries or pains can be caused by poor sleeping positions, back strains, stress or tension, and exercise, while serious injuries can be caused by accidents, strangulation, etc.
In the case of neck injuries, bruising and swelling may develop soon after. Acute and severe injuries may include damage to the neck muscles and ligaments, a spinal fracture or dislocation, which may lead to paralysis, or a torn or ruptured disc.
Symptoms of a neck injury include loss of mobility, numbness, tingling, and loss of bowel or ladder control. In the case of a ruptured disc, one might get a headache, nausea and a pain in your arm or shoulder.
It is important to note that head and neck injuries do not have to be injury related, meningitis, arthritis, the flu, stress, heart problems and chest pains may lead to neck pains.
Treatment of head and neck injuries may range from first aid and physiotherapy to surgery depending on the severity and type of injury as well as a person’s age, state of health and activities. Just like with head injuries, in the case of an emergency, call an ambulance first, check the breathing and airways, do not bend, move or twist the victim and immobilize the head, neck, shoulders and torso until the response team arrives.
In the case of neck and head injuries, proper first aid can prevent paralysis.