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What is a Head Injury
A head injury is a result of a blow to the head by an external force ( A fall, automobile accident, etc.) This may produce a diminished and or altered consciousness, affecting cognitive abilities, physical abilities and changes in the emotional and behavioural functions. These changes may be temporary but quite often are permanent. You may be able to define a head injury but you will never be able to define the personal and terrible realities of each different situation. The brain is so complex that the area injured and the force of the injury can result in different characteristics for each brain injury. Having support for both the injured person as well as the families involved is vital. Being able to talk with someone, expressing your feelings and thoughts is essential, unfortunately people become afraid and quite often all but abandon the injured person and or family.
Facts
- every 15 seconds someone receives a head injury in the US.
- head injuries is the leading killer of persons below the age of 45
- men are twice as likely as women to sustain head injuries
- two thirds of all persons sustaining head injuries are under the age of 30
- 85% of all head injuries are the result of motor vehicle and/or alcohol
- approximately two thirds of children under one year of age who are physically abused sustain head injuries
- fall constitude a major source of head injuries among children under 5 years of age, more than 50%
- 1 million children will sustain head injuries each year, about 165,000 will be hospitalized, 1 in 10 will experience moderate to severe impairments
- a survivor of a traumatic head injury will face about 5 to maybe over 10 years of intensive services, the cost about $4 million dollars US.
- only 1 head injury survivor out of 20 receives appropriate rehabilitation
Physical Impairments
There are a number of reasons for head and neck pain after an injury, such as;
- displacement of structures inside the head
- inflammation
- decreased oxygen or blood flow
- soft tissue injury (Including muscle spasm)
- irritation of the brain coverings
- increased pressure within the skull
other physical impairments include;
- speech
- vision and hearing impairments
- lack of coordination
- paralysis of one or both sides
- seizure disorders
Cognitive Impairments
Cognitive is - the mental process or faculty of knowing, including aspects such as awareness, perception, reasoning, language, memory and judgement.
- disorientation
- attention deficit
- memory deficit
- impaired judgement
- decreased problem solving abilities
also a wide range of communication deficiencies may result, they may include;
- inability to speak or speak clearly
- inability to read or write
- inappropriate responses
- inability to understand subleties
- difficulty putting thoughts into words
- lack of concentration
- poor organization
- flat or monotone speech
- hoarseness
- difficulty swallowing
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