(TXT) View source
       
       # Head Injuries
       
       ## How the head is injured
       
       If someone falls, gets hit in the head, or is in a vehicle accident,
       watch for signs of brain injury.  It can be difficult to tell if
       there is brain injury if the person has been drinking or using drugs
       because many of these signs can be the same.  Also check anyone with
       a head injury for neck or spine injuries, as these two can go
       together.
       
 (DIR) neck or spine injuries
       
       ## Signs of mild brain injury or concussion
       
       * Confusion or loss of consciousness that gets better on its own in
         a short time
       * Not remembering what happened
       * Temporary blurry vision or "seeing stars"
       * Nausea or vomiting that does not last long
       * Headache, dizziness, or tiredness
       
       Ask her to rest for about 24 hours and give paracetamol
       (acetaminophen) for the pain, but do not give ibuprofen or aspirin
       because they can worsen any bleeding inside the head.  Watch the
       person for the first 24 hours.  If she goes to sleep, wake her every
       few hours to see if she can still answer questions and think clearly.
       In the hours after the injury, if the person becomes more confused,
       gets a headache that gets worse and worse, or loses consciousness or
       has a seizure, there is likely bleeding inside the skull and
       immediate medical help is needed.
       
       ## Signs of severe brain injury
       
       Get help for any of these signs:
       
       * Unconsciousness
       * Severe or worsening headache, changes in vision, loss of balance
       * Nausea and vomiting
       * Confusion, personality changes, aggression
       * Very slow, very fast, or changing (irregular) heart beat
       * Fast, shallow breathing or breathing that is irregular (sometimes
         fast, sometimes slow)
       * Warm, flushed skin
       * Seizures
       * Blood or clear fluid leaking from the ears or nose
       
       These signs may happen hours after the injury:
       
       * One pupil bigger than the other
       * Bruises around both eyes or behind the ear
       
 (IMG) Pupils differ
 (IMG) Pupils differ
       
 (IMG) Ear and eye bruises
       
       ## Bleeding from the head
       
       Head wounds bleed a lot.  If you are sure the spine is not injured,
       ask the person to sit up, or prop her up, to decrease bleeding.  Use
       pressure to stop the bleeding, then wash the wound well before
       closing it with sutures or glue.  If you have no supplies you can tie
       the hair together across the wound, to help keep it closed.
       
 (IMG) Tying hair to treat bleeding head wound
       
       If the head is cut open, look for injury to the skull underneath.  If
       you believe there may be an opening into the skull, apply pressure on
       each side of the wound and avoid pressing hard on the injured part of
       the head.
       
       ## Nosebleeds
       
       Pinch the nose firmly, just below the hard bony part.
       
       Hold tight for 10 minutes--do not stop to check if the bleeding has
       stopped or the blood can start flowing again.  If the nose still
       bleeds after 10 minutes, try pinching for another 10 minutes.
       
 (IMG) Nose bleeds
       
       While most nose bleeds get better, any uncontrolled bleeding is
       dangerous.  Beware especially of nose bleeds in old people.
       
       Prevention
       
       
       Rubbing a little petroleum jelly inside the nose might keep dryness
       from causing bleeding.
       
       Nose picking is a common cause of nosebleeds.
       
       > from NEW WHERE THERE IS NO DOCTOR © Hesperian Health Guides,
       > 1919 Addison St Ste 304, Berkeley, CA, 94704, 1.510.845.1447,
       > hesperian@hesperian.org