What do you do if something falls heavy on your head?

Call 911 or the local emergency number right away if:
  1. There is severe head or face bleeding.
  2. The person is confused, tired, or unconscious.
  3. The person stops breathing.
  4. You suspect a serious head or neck injury, or the person develops any signs or symptoms of a serious head injury.
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What happens if something hard falls on your head?

A hard blow to the head can shake your brain inside the skull. The result: bruises, broken blood vessels, or nerve damage to the brain. A hard hit that doesn't cause bleeding or an opening in your skull could be a closed brain injury. An open brain injury is when an object penetrates the skull and goes into your brain.
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Should you go to the ER if something falls on your head?

Anyone who has just sustained an impact to the head should immediately seek emergency medical care by calling 911 or visiting an emergency room if they experience any of the following symptoms: Loss of consciousness. Inability to recognize people or places. Trouble with balance or walking.
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Can I sleep after I hit my head?

If the person who is injured is awake and holding a conversation, you can let him or her fall asleep as long as they are not developing any other symptoms such as dilated pupils or issues with walking. “Usually after a concussion, a person may be dazed or may vomit,” explains Dr. Alexander.
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How do I know if my head injury is serious?

Seek immediate emergency medical care if you have danger signs
  1. Have a headache that gets worse and does not go away.
  2. Experience weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, convulsions, or seizures.
  3. Vomit repeatedly.
  4. Have slurred speech or unusual behavior.
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Which symptoms are concussion red flags after you hit your head



How can I tell if a head injury is mild or severe?

There are three grades:
  • Grade 1: Mild, with symptoms that last less than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness.
  • Grade 2: Moderate, with symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness.
  • Grade 3: Severe, in which the person loses consciousness, sometimes for just a few seconds.
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Should I put ice on my head after hitting it?

Applying something cold to the injury for up to 20 minutes will reduce external swelling and pain. When a person has a blow to the head, their brain can be shaken inside the skull as well. This may cause a more serious head injury which may make them feel sick or drowsy.
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How do you treat a head injury at home?

Be guided by your doctor, but self-care suggestions include:
  1. Don't drive home from the hospital. ...
  2. Rest quietly for the day.
  3. Use icepacks over any swollen or painful area.
  4. Take simple painkillers such as paracetamol for any headache. ...
  5. Arrange for someone to stay with you for the next 24 hours, in case you need help.
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How do you know if your brain is bleeding after hitting your head?

Sharp and painful headaches, along with confusion, are often the first signs of brain bleeding. However, the symptoms often depend on the bleed's location. If you recently suffered from brain trauma and begin experiencing different or worsening symptoms, seek emergency medical help immediately.
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Should you put ice on a bump on the head?

Apply ice to the bruised area to minimize the swelling. A bump (goose egg) often develops. The size of the bump does not suggest the severity of the injury. A small bump may be serious, and a large bump may mean only a minor injury.
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How do I check for a concussion?

  1. Headache or “pressure” in head.
  2. Nausea or vomiting.
  3. Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.
  4. Bothered by light or noise.
  5. Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
  6. Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.
  7. Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.
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How long after a head injury can symptoms occur?

Share on Pinterest A head injury can lead to cognitive impairment. Signs and symptoms may appear at once, within 24 hours, or they may emerge days or weeks after the injury. Sometimes the symptoms are subtle.
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How can you test for a concussion at home?

Look for:
  1. Changes in day-to-day functioning.
  2. Eye pain and/or eye fatigue.
  3. Headache.
  4. Changes in sleep patterns.
  5. Neck pain or stiffness.
  6. Imbalance, dropping things, bumping into things.
  7. Impaired depth perception (having difficulty seeing the distance between two items)
  8. Difficulty remembering things.
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Is it safe to sleep with a concussion?

Generally, both adults2 and children3 can safely sleep after a concussion, once they have visited their doctor or an emergency room. Although sleeping after a concussion is considered safe, it is more difficult to assess a person's symptoms when they are asleep.
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What happens if you go to sleep with a concussion?

Summary. Sleeping isn't dangerous when you have a concussion. You won't slip into a coma or die if you go to sleep after getting a concussion. It's safe for a concussed person to sleep if they are awake and can hold a conversation, and they don't have obvious concussion symptoms.
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What does a concussion headache feel like?

Characteristics: Following a concussion, you can develop a headache that resembles a migraine headache. Pain tends to be in the front of the head area of your forehead or temple. It is commonly described as a 'pounding' or 'throbbing' pain. It is sometimes associated with nausea and sensitivity to light and noise.
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How long should you stay up after hitting your head?

Do not allow the athlete (or concussed individual) to sleep for at least 3 hours after the injury. May not need to wake the athlete throughout the night, but monitoring them throughout the night is prudent.
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Can brain bleed heal itself?

Diagnosis & treatment

Many hemorrhages do not need treatment and go away on their own. If a patient is exhibiting symptoms or has just had a brain injury, a medical professional may order a computerized tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to check for brain hemorrhages.
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Can you drink water after head injury?

Hydration after Concussion:

Drinking a variety of fluids throughout the day – not just when you are is thirsty. Drinking 8-12 glasses of non-caffeinated fluids per day will adequately hydrate one, resulting in urinating about 5-6 times a day. Add natural flavors to water to improve taste, such as lemon or lime.
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