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Head injury and concussion
A guide for patients and carers
Download this booklet in PDF format (979kb)
Who gets admitted to hospital?
If the person has made a full recovery by the time they are seen in the A & E department they may be sent home (depending on the results of any tests that are done) with advice as to what symptoms to look out for. If they have not made a full recovery, if they are difficult to assess because of alcohol or drugs, if the skull is fractured or if the doctor is at all worried, they will be admitted to hospital.
What happens after leaving A & E?
The relatives or friends of the injured person are advised by the doctor about symptoms that may develop and what to look out for. This is done both verbally and via an instruction card or sheet (see Figure 2 on page 6). If the person develops increasing headache, drowsiness, confusion or persistent vomiting, they should be returned directly to A & E.
Will there be any delayed complications?
Occasionally, a mixture of blood and fluid may accumulate on the surface of the brain several days or weeks after a relatively minor head injury. This is called a chronic subdural haematoma. This can cause pressure on the brain and a progressive worsening of symptoms such as headache, drowsiness, confusion, problems with speech or a weakness down one side of the body. Chronic subdural haematomas can be seen on a CT brain scan and are usually easy to treat by a simple drainage operation (via burr holes).
Should the family doctor be told?
Your GP should be informed about all health issues. If you have had a head injury then your doctor will want to know. You may be given a letter from the A & E department that you, or a friend or relative, can drop in to the surgery, or you may need to make an appointment to see the doctor. Your GP will receive the results of any X-rays or tests from the hospital, but this may take some time.
The relatives or friends of the injured person are advised by the doctor about symptoms that may develop and what to look out for. This is done both verbally and via an instruction card or sheet (see Figure 2 on page 6). If the person develops increasing headache, drowsiness, confusion or persistent vomiting, they should be returned directly to A & E.
Will there be any delayed complications?
Occasionally, a mixture of blood and fluid may accumulate on the surface of the brain several days or weeks after a relatively minor head injury. This is called a chronic subdural haematoma. This can cause pressure on the brain and a progressive worsening of symptoms such as headache, drowsiness, confusion, problems with speech or a weakness down one side of the body. Chronic subdural haematomas can be seen on a CT brain scan and are usually easy to treat by a simple drainage operation (via burr holes).
Should the family doctor be told?
Your GP should be informed about all health issues. If you have had a head injury then your doctor will want to know. You may be given a letter from the A & E department that you, or a friend or relative, can drop in to the surgery, or you may need to make an appointment to see the doctor. Your GP will receive the results of any X-rays or tests from the hospital, but this may take some time.
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Page 5 of 15
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
- Your feedback on Head injury and concussion
