Head and Spinal Injuries
What are head injuries?
Head injuries are serious injuries that require immediate, urgent medical attention. A hard blow to the head from a fall, knock or assault can injure the brain, even when there are no visible signs of trauma to the scalp or face. The brain is a soft and delicate organ that needs to be protected with care. A hard blow to the head can injure the brain or spinal cord even when there are no visible signs of trauma to the scalp or face. That’s one of the main reasons as to why all head injuries are considered serious and should be assessed by a doctor. Head injuries are often classified under 2 categories:
Symptoms
Treatment - DRSABCD
What are spinal injuries?
The spinal cord runs through the center of the bony spine. It is like a system of telephone wires, which conduct messages from the brain, through the nerves, to all parts of the body. People can receive damage to the spinal cord due to an accident, such as a motor accident, sporting accident or even just a fall. As a result of spinal injuries, victims can suffer both paraplegia and quadriplegia. A spinal injury is a very risky and serious injury, which should be dealt with appropriately and effectively to manage and lessen health risks.
Symptoms
Treatment - DRSABCD
Tips
Head injuries are serious injuries that require immediate, urgent medical attention. A hard blow to the head from a fall, knock or assault can injure the brain, even when there are no visible signs of trauma to the scalp or face. The brain is a soft and delicate organ that needs to be protected with care. A hard blow to the head can injure the brain or spinal cord even when there are no visible signs of trauma to the scalp or face. That’s one of the main reasons as to why all head injuries are considered serious and should be assessed by a doctor. Head injuries are often classified under 2 categories:
- Open – with bleeding wounds to the face or head.
- Closed – no visible signs of injury to the face or head.
Symptoms
- A period of unresponsiveness from victim
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vision problems
- Numbness and/or tingling
- Paralysis
- Convulsions
- A discharge of fluid from ears, nose or mouth
- Bruising around the eyes
- Bleeding into the white of the eyes
- Concussion
Treatment - DRSABCD
- Seek help immediately and call 000 for an ambulance
- Check the victim's airway, breathing, and circulation. Follow the steps of DRSABCD. After personal examination If necessary, begin CPR.
- If the victim's breathing and heart rate are normal but they are unconscious, treat as if there is a spinal injury. Stabilize the head and neck by placing your hands on both sides of the person's head. Keep the head in line with the spine and prevent movement. Wait for medical help.
- Stop any bleeding by firmly pressing a clean cloth on the wound. If the injury is serious, be careful not to move the victim's head. If blood soaks through the cloth, do not remove it. Place another cloth over the first one.
- If you suspect a skull fracture, do not apply direct pressure to the bleeding site, and do not remove any debris from the wound. Cover the wound with sterile gauze dressing.
- If the victim is vomiting, to prevent choking, roll their head, neck, and body as one unit onto their side. This still protects the spine, which you must always assume is injured in the case of a head injury.
What are spinal injuries?
The spinal cord runs through the center of the bony spine. It is like a system of telephone wires, which conduct messages from the brain, through the nerves, to all parts of the body. People can receive damage to the spinal cord due to an accident, such as a motor accident, sporting accident or even just a fall. As a result of spinal injuries, victims can suffer both paraplegia and quadriplegia. A spinal injury is a very risky and serious injury, which should be dealt with appropriately and effectively to manage and lessen health risks.
Symptoms
- There's evidence of a head injury with an ongoing change in the victim's level of consciousness.
- The person complains of severe pain in his or her neck or back.
- The person won't move his or her neck.
- An injury has exerted substantial force on the back or head.
- The victim complains of weakness, numbness or paralysis or lacks control of their limbs, bladder or bowels.
- The neck or back is twisted or positioned oddly.
- Loss of sensation .
- Loss of motor functions.
- Loss of bowel/bladder function.
- Loss of involuntary functions, like breathing.
- Inability to control rate of heart beat.
- Inability to sweat.
- Chronic pain.
Treatment - DRSABCD
- Keep the victim still.
- Provide as much first aid as possible without moving the victim's head or neck.
- Begin CPR steps if the victim is not breathing, but do not tilt their head back to open their airway.
- If you absolutely must roll the person due to blocked airways, you need more than one person. With one at the head and another along the side of the victim, work together to keep the victim's head, neck and back aligned while rolling them onto one side.
- Follow the procedure of DRSABCD
- Get emergency medical help immediately and call 000 for an ambulance.
Tips
- If the person is wearing a helmet, don't remove it.
- Staying calm yourself, is essential to helping the victim.