People of all ages lead with their heads when they move about. There are many repercussions of a head injury.
In earlier times, CT scans didn't exist. Usually, when the patient does well, he goes home. However, if that is not the case, the neurosurgeon is called in to evaluate the patient. Currently, CT scans can be found in even the smallest hospital.
Doctors need the proper reassurance of hard evidence like an X-ray or CT. Every case is different and needs to be considered individually.
Here are some of the guidelines that the doctors follow in order to decide whether a CT scan is needed for head injury:
Concussions with High Risk that needs an operation
Concussions with Medium Risk for injury to the brain
Usually, a CT scan is required with any one of the following findings in a person who is fully awake:
However, this set of rules is applied based on the patient's exact situation. Communication among the physician, patient, and family is very crucial. Effective communication allows the proper treatment pathway.
A blow to the head or a severe twist to your neck lead to a severe headache. Such headaches can lead to results such as brain injury such as concussion, bleeding on the brain, or cracks to the skull.
Head and neck injuries are pretty common. The health care provider needs to examine you for a possible concussion or another injury. The health care provider may order a CT scan of the brain to make sure you do not have a fractured skull or a serious brain injury.
Most health care providers follow guidelines that recommend performing CT scans only for patients who are at higher risk for skull fractures or bleeding in the brain. Many people who have head injuries do not have either of these problems. Thus, the simple concussions do not show up on a CT scan.
In case you do not have any of these signs, your risk of a serious injury needing surgery or leading to serious complications is truly less. In this case, a CT scan will not help.
On examination, if it is found that you are able to walk and talk normally, the chance of you having a serious injury needing surgery or special treatment is low.
A CT scan makes use of X-rays to generate images of the brain and skull. X-rays are a form of radiation that heightens the risk of cancer over your lifetime. Risks from radiation exposure pretty much add up. Thus, one needs to avoid unnecessary radiation when possible.
Recovery from head injuries takes time
You might experience some mild symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, feeling unsteady, sensitivity to light or loud noises, or difficulties with memory or concentration. These symptoms improve eventually.
You should immediately go to an emergency department when you experience any of the following symptoms:
In order to get better, rest until your symptoms improve. You must avoid strenuous physical activity, mainly sports, intense exercise, and another heavy form of work.
You must be cautious not to injure your head again. In case your symptoms deteriorate with a particular activity, then you should avoid it. Keep in mind that there are certain guidelines that help people recover from a head injury.
Make sure to ask your doctor when you can return to your normal activities. Do not forget to drink enough fluids and avoid alcohol. You can stay hydrated all the time. Make sure to avoid alcohol. It may help you recover more quickly.
Try not to stress your brain too much. You must avoid activities that are emotionally and mentally demanding until your symptoms improve. Such activities include studying, reading, playing video games or watching television.
You can ask your health care provider about medicine. You should take pain medication as instructed by your doctor, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).
In case your symptoms continue for the next few weeks, you need to follow up with your health care provider.
Brain scans cost a good deal. A standard brain CT scan might cost hundreds of dollars. On the other hand, an MRI scan costs even more. In case your results are not so clear, you may have to pay for extra tests.
In earlier times, CT scans didn't exist. Usually, when the patient does well, he goes home. However, if that is not the case, the neurosurgeon is called in to evaluate the patient. Currently, CT scans can be found in even the smallest hospital.
Doctors need the proper reassurance of hard evidence like an X-ray or CT. Every case is different and needs to be considered individually.
Here are some of the guidelines that the doctors follow in order to decide whether a CT scan is needed for head injury:
Concussions with High Risk that needs an operation
- the person is not fully awake within 2 hours after injury
- there is a suspected depressed skull fracture
- there is a suspected fracture of the base of the skull, bruising of both eyes, blood behind the eardrum, etc.
- vomiting takes more than 2 times
- the patient is older than 65 years of age
Concussions with Medium Risk for injury to the brain
- amnesia of before impact of greater than 30 minutes
- dangerous mechanism
Usually, a CT scan is required with any one of the following findings in a person who is fully awake:
- headache
- vomiting
- age of more than 60 years
- drug or alcohol intoxication
- amnesia
- visible trauma above the collarbone
- seizure
However, this set of rules is applied based on the patient's exact situation. Communication among the physician, patient, and family is very crucial. Effective communication allows the proper treatment pathway.
A blow to the head or a severe twist to your neck lead to a severe headache. Such headaches can lead to results such as brain injury such as concussion, bleeding on the brain, or cracks to the skull.
Head and neck injuries are pretty common. The health care provider needs to examine you for a possible concussion or another injury. The health care provider may order a CT scan of the brain to make sure you do not have a fractured skull or a serious brain injury.
Importance of CT scans
CT scans can show if there is swelling or bleeding in the brain or a fracture in the skull. Thus, in case you have signs of a serious injury, a CT scan is usually the best first test to diagnose it. It is then that your health care provider will look for specific signs of a more serious problem. These include:
- Weakness on one side of your face or body
- Trouble speaking, hearing or swallowing
- Reduced vision
- Seizures
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe headache
- One pupil larger than the other
- Fluid or blood from an ear or nose
- Tenderness over the skull
- Having thinner blood
Most health care providers follow guidelines that recommend performing CT scans only for patients who are at higher risk for skull fractures or bleeding in the brain. Many people who have head injuries do not have either of these problems. Thus, the simple concussions do not show up on a CT scan.
In case you do not have any of these signs, your risk of a serious injury needing surgery or leading to serious complications is truly less. In this case, a CT scan will not help.
On examination, if it is found that you are able to walk and talk normally, the chance of you having a serious injury needing surgery or special treatment is low.
Exposure to radiation during CT scan
Recovery from head injuries takes time
You might experience some mild symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, feeling unsteady, sensitivity to light or loud noises, or difficulties with memory or concentration. These symptoms improve eventually.
You should immediately go to an emergency department when you experience any of the following symptoms:
- A headache that gets worse with time
- Drowsiness
- Difficult in recognizing people or places
- Consistent vomiting
- Weird behavior or extreme irritability
- Seizures of the arms or legs
- Weak arms or legs on one side of the body
- Impaired balance or speech
In order to get better, rest until your symptoms improve. You must avoid strenuous physical activity, mainly sports, intense exercise, and another heavy form of work.
You must be cautious not to injure your head again. In case your symptoms deteriorate with a particular activity, then you should avoid it. Keep in mind that there are certain guidelines that help people recover from a head injury.
Make sure to ask your doctor when you can return to your normal activities. Do not forget to drink enough fluids and avoid alcohol. You can stay hydrated all the time. Make sure to avoid alcohol. It may help you recover more quickly.
Try not to stress your brain too much. You must avoid activities that are emotionally and mentally demanding until your symptoms improve. Such activities include studying, reading, playing video games or watching television.
You can ask your health care provider about medicine. You should take pain medication as instructed by your doctor, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).
In case your symptoms continue for the next few weeks, you need to follow up with your health care provider.
Risks of CT scan
CT scans use radiation. This can increase your risk of cancer. Children have more risks since their brains are developing. Young children may need sedative drugs so they lie still for a scan. These drugs have risks. And imaging test results are sometimes unclear. This can lead to more tests and visits to a specialist.
