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Head injury and concussion
A guide for patients and carers
Introduction
The Brain and Spine Foundation would like to thank consultant neurosurgeons Richard Hatfield and Brian Simpson of the University Hospital of Wales; and John Sutcliffe of the Royal London Hospital, for their invaluable contributions to this project.
This booklet is intended to provide general information about head injuries. It has been written to answer some of the questions asked by people who have had a head injury, as well as for their families and carers.
However, because injuries vary in severity and because each person is affected differently, it is important that you speak to your own GP or to the doctor or nurse who is looking after you, since they are in a position to offer advice and information to meet your own specific needs.
Note: Words printed in bold are explained in the glossary.
However, because injuries vary in severity and because each person is affected differently, it is important that you speak to your own GP or to the doctor or nurse who is looking after you, since they are in a position to offer advice and information to meet your own specific needs.
Note: Words printed in bold are explained in the glossary.
Page 1 of 14
Contents
- Introduction
- What are the main causes of head injury?
- What are the signs of a serious injury?
- What will happen at the hospital?
- Who gets admitted to hospital?
- What if the skull is fractured?
- What is concussion?
- What will happen if there is internal bleeding?
- What happens in the neurosurgical unit?
- The intensive care unit
- Coma and level of consciousness
- Recovery from a severe head injury
- Summary
- Other organisations that may be able to help
