What Is A Closed Head Injury?

A head injury can be classified as a closed head injury or an open head injury, the difference being whether any foreign matter has been able to enter the skull. As it name suggests, a closed head injury means there is damage to the brain, but that the skull is intact, whereas for an open head injury, something has penetrated the skull, perhaps glass from the head striking the windshield in a car accident.

Brain injury can be very serious whether it is a closed head injury or not, although an open head wound usually looks nastier because of blood being present.

The most common brain trauma injury of the closed head type occur when the brain is shaken, for example in a car accident. The brain is thrust forward, and back as the vehicle comes to a stop, or it can be a sports injury to the head, or a violent attack. If the injury is minor then the skull is able to protect the brain to some extent, and symptoms of headaches, loss of hearing, disturbed vision, etc, may go away by themselves, but more than half a million head injuries a year in the US require hospitalization. When head injuries result in prolonged bleeding inside the brain, it can result in non-reversible brain damage. For this reason, whenever there is a head injury, medical advice should always be sort to rule out internal bleeding, whether it is a closed head injury or not.

Initial response to a closed head injury is important, especially if the person is unable to answer questions. It is important not to move the patient if there is any chance of spinal injury, as this could make the injury even more serious.

However, the closed head injury is more serious, and may require medical treatment, if the pupils are of unequal size, or there is swelling at the site of the injury to the head. If the senses are compromised too, there is loss of consciousness, slurred speech, clumsiness, personality changes, or vomiting, then medical attention must be sought as soon as is possible.

Because closed head injury symptoms can be delayed, it is important to monitor the injured every two to three hours, and this involves waking the person if they have gone to sleep – a common occurrence when the head is injured. You have to make sure that the person has not slipped into a coma as a result of the head injury.

So to conclude, a head injury can be serious whether it is a closed head injury or not, and if you are concerned in any way about the symptoms of a head injury, get medical assistance as soon as possible.