Injuries from blows to the head can cause serious neurological, medical and psychological problems.

Types Of Head Injury

Skull Fractures: Signs and symptoms (S&S) include headache, nausea, skull defect and blood in the ears or nose. Seek emergency help.

Concussions occur in four grades:  

1. Slightly dazed feeling, generally returning to normal  in 5 to 15 minutes.
2. Inability to recall events since the injury, dizziness, ringing in the ears and headache.
3. Same as II, plus the inability to recall events before or after the injury.
4. A loss of consciousness, always requiring medical attention.

Cerebral Concussion: May accompany any grade of concussion and occurs when a blow to the head causes intercranial hemorrhaging. Symptoms may appear anywhere from  10 minutes to 24 hours after the injury.

Points To Remember

• When in doubt about a head injury, seek medical attention.
• Have someone wake you every hour during the night. People with subdural bleeding may take up to 24 hours to show symptoms.
• Stop shoeing, regardless of severity. Don’t drive. If you don’t see a doctor, notify someone that you have a head injury so they can monitor you.