Closed Head Injury Symptoms

A person suffering a head injury can be more seriously hurt than he is aware. The case of actress Natasha Richardson, who was fatally injured while she was learning to ski, is a prime example. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a closed-head injury are something that everyone should be aware of.

The Facts

• The Mayo Clinic website reports that a head injury can easily occur in an automobile or motor vehicle accident without the person realizing how serious it actually is.The symptoms of a head injury can come on quickly or over a period of time. Waiting is a dangerous game to play after a head injury. Waiting too long before seeking medical help can cost a person her life.

Time Frame

• Take every head injury seriously. The symptoms of some head injuries may start within a few minutes of an accident. On the flipside, some symptoms take longer to show and may not fully be present for several weeks. The gradual onset of these symptoms may mean that the person never really takes them seriously until it is too late.

High Blood Pressure and Headaches

• A person's blood pressure may steadily rise after a head injury. He may not even realize that this is occurring. The website for the Mayo Clinic reports that this spike in blood pressure can essentially lead to other problems such as headaches. As the blood fills the cranium the person will eventually lose consciousness. Headaches are one of the foremost signs of a head injury. Get checked out immediately after you bump your head.

Nausea and Vomiting

• Nausea and vomiting is another common symptom of a closed-head injury. After a head injury a person may become sick to her stomach and start vomiting. If this occurs over several weeks the person may be less likely to connect it with a head injury. Instead, the person may think that they have some kind of stomach ailment.

Dizziness and Confusion

• Dizziness and confusion can be more recognizable signs that the person has a head injury. Some people cannot stand or walk due to the dizziness. In very severe cases, dizziness and confusion can turn into lethargy and unconsciousness.

Eye Changes

• When a head injury occurs, a person's pupils may become unequal. This is an important sign that there is something wrong. The person should immediately go to the hospital. Shining a light into a person's eyes and checking the pupils' reaction is a test that anyone can do. This test can help determine quickly that 911 should be called.