Types+of+head+injuries

Types of head injuries



There are several different types of brain trauma injuries ranging from the less severe injuries such as a concussion to the more severe head injuries such as subdural and epidural hematoma as well as oedema.

· Concussions are the most common head injuries. It occurs in 30-90% of patients who have had a minor head injury. A concussion is defined as a minor head injury with the presence of three or more of: 1. Headache 2. Dizziness 3. Fatigue 4. Irritability 5. Insomnia 6. Impaired concentration or memory 7. And unconsciousness at the time of the injury

· Oedema occurs when the brain swells. The swelling can become life threatening when the swelling causes a rise in intracranial pressure which restricts the blood flow to the brain which starves the brain of oxygen and glucose. · Haematomas are one of the more common injuries in severe brain trauma caused by a build up of blood due to a tissue or the tearing of a blood vessel which is easily detected with a CT scan. Haematomas can be further broken down into two different types including: 1. A blood clot that develops between the dura and the skull is known as an epidural haematoma. 2. If the blood clot develops between the dura and the brain is known as a subdural haematoma.