DEALING WITH A HEAD INJURY: ORTHODOX TREATMENT

Even where there is concussion and/or an undisplaced skull fracture, most cases of head injury resolve spontaneously with no need for any special medical involvement. However, it is good medical practice to observe the patient for twenty-four hours, because just occasionally the damage to the brain is greater than was first thought, or else there is internal bleeding. Increased pressure in the brain may cause an increasing headache, the patient’s mental functions may drop, his ability to move may be impaired, and his blood pressure often rises progressively. Putting the patient under observation allows the doctors to spot any sudden deterioration quickly. At regular intervals throughout the night a nurse shines a light in his eyes to see if their pupil reflexes are working properly, and asks him to move his feet and hands to make sure that all his movements are intact. Tin- nurse will also check that the patient can In- roused fully, because changes in the level of consciousness indicate a worsening of the situation. He will also measure the blood pressure and take the pulse, as certain changes in these can indicate that complications are starting.

*59\20\2*

Related Posts:

• MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS: HOW TO COPE-IN VARIOUS SITUATIONSC-AT SCHOOL:
• AN A-Z OF EMOTIONAL PAIN: GUILT, HYSTERIA, INADEQUACY
• AN A-Z OF LUMBAR OR PAIN AND LEG PAIN: SHIN SPLINTS
• AN A-Z OF LUMBAR OR PAIN AND LEG PAIN: DIARRHOEA
• AN A-Z OF LUMBAR OR PAIN AND LEG PAIN: APPENDICITIS (REAL AND FALSE)
• AN A-Z OF DORSAL AND THORACIC PAIN: FIBROSITIS
• HEADACHES: TEMPORAL ARTERITIES
• TYPES OF MIGRAINE
• HEADACHES, OTHER INFECTIONS: ORTHODOX TREATMENT
• MIGRAINE: SELF-HELP