What is a blunt trauma?

Blunt trauma, also called non-penetrating trauma or blunt force trauma, is an injury to the body caused by forceful impact, injury, or physical attack with a dull object or surface. It is in contrast to penetrating trauma, in which an object or surface pierces the body, causing an open wound.

What happens during blunt force trauma?

Blunt impact injuries result from direct contact of a blunt object with a body. A contusion results from the blunt impact of significant force to rupture capillaries underneath the skin surface while leaving the skin surface intact, while an abrasion results from scraping off of the superficial epidermis.

What does blunt force trauma feel like?

Symptoms of blunt force head trauma vary depending on how hard the object hit the body or vice versa. Location is also a factor. For example, if you were to hit your head on a door frame accidentally, you would likely experience bruising and minimal pain, but abrasions and severe pain are less likely.

Can you feel blunt force trauma?

The symptoms of blunt force trauma vary. Symptoms may be mild, and some people may assume they merely have a headache or are suffering from the shock and aftermath of an accident. Other individuals may experience immediate and severe symptoms.

Which of the following is an example of blunt trauma?

Examples of Blunt Trauma

Collision between a pedestrian or bicyclist and a motor vehicle. Contact collisions in sports. Physical assaults, such as a punch to the body. Falls, especially from a great height.

Trauma 03 - Blunt Chest Trauma

What type of injury most often results from blunt force trauma?

A blunt force head trauma is a severe injury to the head. The main concern with this type of injury is that it could cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is an extremely serious injury that can cause life-long health issues and even death.

How long does it take for blunt force trauma to heal?

Recovery time can range between a few days to a few weeks. Though many cases of muscle bruising heal on their own, more severe muscle injuries may require medical attention. If your symptoms don't improve within a few days of developing the injury, see your doctor.

Is a concussion blunt force trauma?

A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury and is generally the result of a sudden, significant blunt-force trauma to the head or body. A concussion may have moderate to severe impact on brain function. Vision may be altered; the sense of balance may be lost; and a loss of consciousness may occur.

How common is blunt force trauma?

Blunt force trauma is routinely involved in cases classified as accidents, as well as in cases of suicide and homicide. People dying natural deaths often have minor blunt force injuries that do not contribute to death -- small abrasions or contusions on the skin are commonplace at autopsy.

Is a bruise a blunt force trauma?

Contusions or bruises are extravasations of blood within the soft tissues originating from ruptured vessels as a result of blunt trauma.

Can you bleed from blunt force?

Evidence of blunt force often shows up one day or a few days after the event, and the symptoms can vary from mild bruising to wrongful death due to severe internal bleeding.

Which organ is most commonly injured in blunt abdominal trauma?

The liver is the most commonly injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma and the second most commonly injured organ in penetrating abdominal trauma [3-6]. The liver is a highly vascular organ located in the right upper quadrant (figure 1) of the abdomen and is susceptible to injury from traumatic mechanisms.

Can blunt force trauma cause short term memory loss?

Memory problems are very common in people with moderate to severe TBI. TBI can damage parts of the brain that handle learning and remembering. TBI affects short-term memory more than long-term memory.

Can you go to sleep after hitting your head?

It is generally considered safe for people with head injuries or concussions to go to sleep. In some cases, a doctor may recommend waking the person regularly to make sure his or her condition has not worsened.

Is blunt trauma a diagnosis?

Diagnosis for blunt trauma injuries primarily focuses on physical examination and imaging tests. If internal organ damage is suspected, additional tests may be required.

Can blunt trauma cause a blood clot?

Trauma could result from a car accident, a sports injury, or even a fall. Common mishaps that may lead to a clot include: Broken bones. Bad bumps.

What happens to your body when you fall down?

Decelerating rapidly - which is what happens if the human body falls and then makes sudden impact - can cause cells to rupture. Like cells, blood vessels can also break open, preventing the circulation of oxygen throughout the body. Without oxygen, our organs, including the brain, cease to function.

Which injury is caused due to blunt force?

Blunt trauma can result in contusions, abrasions, lacerations, internal hemorrhages, bone fractures, as well as death. Worldwide, a significant cause of disability and death in people under the age of 35 years is trauma, of which most are due to blunt trauma.

How does the brain heal after trauma?

van der Kolk writes that there are three avenues for recovery: “top down, by talking, (re-) connecting with others, and allowing ourselves to know and understand what is going on with us”; “taking medicines that shut down inappropriate alarm reactions"; and “bottom up, by allowing the body to have experiences that ...

Do you forget stuff when you hit your head?

Yes, concussions can cause memory loss. Head injuries can cause loss of memory surrounding the event itself or recurring memory loss after the injury. Severe memory loss (completely forgetting an event or the people you spoke with, even though you were present) is rare for concussion, but it can happen.

What happens to the brain after trauma?

When we experience trauma, the brain shuts down all nonessential systems and activates the sympathetic nervous system and the mammalian brain. To help us survive the trauma, the brain releases stress hormones and activates the flight or fight response.

What are the five most reliable signs & symptoms of blunt abdominal trauma?

Which complication is most likely to occur in blunt trauma of the abdomen?

Spleen. Spleen is the most common cause of massive bleeding in blunt abdominal trauma to a solid organ. Spleen is the most commonly injured organ. A laceration of the spleen may be associated with hematoma.

Why is blunt abdominal trauma considered lethal?

Blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, particularly because it can be very difficult to recognize clear symptoms early. In blunt force abdominal trauma, the spleen and liver are the most commonly injured organs, with a mortality rate of roughly 8.5%.

What does blood in your stool mean for a woman?

Rectal bleeding is a symptom of conditions like hemorrhoids, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcers and colorectal cancer. Typically, you notice rectal bleeding on toilet paper, in the water of the toilet bowl or in your stool.