Head Injuries, and fatalities related to head injuries are much more common than one might think. According to studies, India is one of the most popular countries for deaths related to head and brain injuries, with 5 deaths due to head injury accidents happening every minute. According to the National Mortality Survey for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in India, 500,000 deaths, 30,000,000 admissions and 100,000,000 minor cases have been reported so far. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates. They can also cause permanent disabilities. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to detect them at the right time and improve your quality of life.
Falls lead to nearly half of all brain injury related hospitalizations. Firearm-related suicide is the most common cause of brain injury related death globally, and car accidents and assaults are other common ways a person may get a brain injury. During World Head Injury Day 2022, experts all over the globe were stressing on one mantra, which is to not take any symptom lightly. Onlymyhealth editorial team spoke to Dr. Vijay S (Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon), SIMS Hospital, Chennai, to know about the preventive measures and treatment options for head injury.
How can we prevent substantial head injuries?
Injuries are generally unavoidable, no matter how cautious that one can be. But, there are certain precautions that one can attempt in order to worsen the injury, and lead to serious fatalities. According to Dr. Vijay, here are some measures that can help in preventing substantial head injuries:
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- Wearing a helmet while driving a two wheeler
- Fastening the seat belt while driving a car
- Always holding onto railings while climbing up and down the stairs
- Walking with extra care on slippery surfaces
- Wearing a helmet/protective armor if working in injury prone/hazardous conditions, such as a construction site etc
How does one react in case of a head injury to oneself or to others?
When it comes to head injuries, doctors and medical professionals all over the world stress the importance of the 'golden hour.' The golden hour refers to the first 60 minutes following a catastrophic accident. This time frame is sometimes referred to as the distinction between saving or losing a patient's life. The "golden hour" is usually lost owing to a delay in getting the sufferer to a hospital or healthcare institution, which leads to major problems and even death.
What are the symptoms of substantial head injury?
If someone hurts their head, it's crucial to figure out whether the injury is serious enough to require medical attention. The vast majority of the over 1 million brain injuries that are recorded globally are usually minor in nature and do not warrant hospitalization, however there are some symptoms that might signal a substantial brain damage:
- Blurry vision
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty with balance/walking
- Changes in speech
When does a head injury get complicated?
If a person becomes unconscious and enters a coma as a result of the hit or fall, a head injury might become complicated. This can sometimes cause brain damage, resulting in the person going into a vegetative condition. Not only that, but a catastrophic injury can also result in brain death at this point. As per Dr. Vijay, the other symptoms include:
- Changes in smell and taste
- Vision loss
- Facial paralysis
- Double vision
We will certainly be able to reduce the deaths and disabilities caused by serious head injury during road traffic accidents if we raise awareness about the necessity of wearing helmets (for both riders and pillion) and seatbelts. You can follow the above listed preventive measures to avoid a substantial head injury. Moreover, take care of yourself and others especially during the 'golden hour' in any case.
All image credits: Freepik