When should you go to the doctor after hitting your head?

Seek emergency care for an adult or child who experiences a head injury and signs and symptoms such as: Repeated vomiting or nausea. A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds. A headache that gets worse over time.
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When should I worry about a head hit?

Emerman says patients who've suffered a head injury should visit the Emergency Department immediately if they: Lost consciousness or became confused/disoriented after they were injured. Suffered the injury at a high speed (car or bike accident, a steep fall, etc.) Are vomiting or feel nauseated.
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How long should you be concerned after hitting your head?

See a provider within 1 to 2 days of a significant head injury with ongoing symptoms, even if emergency care isn't required. Seek emergency medical attention if your child experiences: Unconsciousness, confusion or disorientation after a head injury.
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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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What should I check after hitting my head?

Your healthcare provider or neurology team will also do a complete exam including balance and vision checks. They may also order imaging tests, including MRI or CT scans, to check for bruising or bleeding in your brain. There's also a blood test called the brain trauma indicator.
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Should I go see a doctor after hitting my head? | Cognitive FX



What are 5 signs of a concussion?

  • Headache or “pressure” in head.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.
  • Bothered by light or noise.
  • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
  • Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.
  • Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.
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How do you know if a bump on the head is serious?

With more severe injuries, you might notice:
  1. Vision loss.
  2. Slurred speech or nonsensical words.
  3. An inability to understand speech.
  4. Have the worst headache of your life, a headache that is worsening, or a headache with two or more episodes of vomiting.
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Should I go to the ER if I hit my 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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What are the symptoms of a slow brain bleed?

As more blood fills your brain or the narrow space between your brain and skull, other signs and symptoms may appear, such as: Lethargy. Seizures.
...
Seek immediate medical attention after a blow to the head if you:
  • Lose consciousness.
  • Have a persistent headache.
  • Experience vomiting, weakness, blurred vision, unsteadiness.
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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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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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Can I sleep after I hit my head?

Most medical professionals say it is fine—sometimes even advised—to let people sleep after incurring a head injury. The American Academy of Family Physicians states it is not necessary to keep a person awake after a head injury.
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What part of the head is most prone to concussions?

The parts of the brain that are most commonly affected in traumatic brain injury are the frontal and temporal lobes. And part of the reason for that is that they're up against bone, and it's fairly rigid and rough bone.
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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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How long do you watch for signs of a concussion?

While a blow to the head may not seem serious immediately, concussion symptoms can develop upon impact or up to 48 hours after the incident.
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What happens if a concussion is left untreated?

A: Concussion left untreated can lead to long-term complications. Potential complications of a concussion include chronic headaches, memory problems, vertigo, and post-concussion syndrome, which is headaches, dizziness, mood swings, and brain fog that can continue for months or years after a concussion.
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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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What are the 4 categories of concussion symptoms?

The signs and symptoms of concussion reported within 1 to 7 days post injury (see Table 3-3) typically fall into four categories—physical (somatic), cognitive, emotional (affective), and sleep—and patients will experience one or more symptoms from one or more categories.
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