Head Injury

Head InjuryrnWhat is Head Injury?rnAn injury to skull and even brain as a result of traumarnWho will provide care for head Injury?rnNeurosurgeons, Intensivists in association with Anaesthetists (Polytrauma), General Surgeons, Psychiatrists, Dieticians and Rehabilitation ExpertsrnWhat are the consequences of Head Injury? • Bruising and Swelling on the scalprn• Scalp woundsrn• Hematoma in the brainrn• Haemorrhage in the brainrn• Diffuse axonal injuryrn• Skull fracturesrn• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain injuryrn• CSF leakrn• Chronic Traumatic EncephalopathyrnWhat are the complications of Head Injury? • Infectionrn• Post-concussion syndromern• Epilepsyrn• Imbalance in gaitrn• Coordination issuesrn• Hormonal Imbalance or Dysfunctionrn• Changes in sensationrn• Altered perception towards smell and tastern• Cognitive and Behavioural Impairmentrn• Muscle weakness and Muscle Spasmsrn• Sexual Dysfunctionrn• Infertilityrn• Breathing difficultiesrnWhat are the symptoms of head injury? • Headachern• Memory impairmentrn• Dizzinessrn• Seizuresrn• Blurring or double visionrn• Nausearn• Vomitingrn• Headachern• Emotional Imbalancern• Transient loss of memoryrn• Confusion and disorientationrn• Sleep difficultiesrn• Tinnitusrn• Reeling sensationrn• Speech difficultiesrnHow is Head Injury Evaluated and Diagnosed? • Thorough Physical Examinationrn• Vital Signs Evaluationrn• Complete Neurological Examinationrn• Imaging – X-Ray Scanning, CT Scanning, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagingrn• Intracranial Pressure Monitoringrn• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) AssessmentrnHow is Head Injury treated? • Medication –Antibiotics, Analgesics, Antiemetic Drugs, Anticonvulsants, Diuretics, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, Beta Blockers, Erythropoietin, • Ventilator Supportrn• Surgery – Open and Minimally Invasive Surgeries, Decompressive craniectomiesrn• Nutrition – Parental or Enteral feedingrn• Fluid resuscitation – Salinern• Continuous Intracranial Pressure MonitoringrnWhat are the self-management tips after head Injury? • Managing daily activities while taking short 20 to 30mins breaksrn• Avoiding alcohol and caffeinated beveragesrn• Being hydrated with plenty of fluids – Unsalted and unsweetened soups, fruit juices and waterrn• Manging stress, Practising relaxation techniques & Pulmonary rehabilitationrn• Training with a physiotherapist for loss of sensation and mobility issuesrn• Consulting your Neurosurgeon if recovery process is delayedrn• Asking your Neurosurgeon before taking a decision to drivern• Monitoring and controlling hypertensionrn• Taking medications as directed by your neurosurgeonrn• Managing other health conditions such as diabetes and inflammationrn• Staying away from illicit drugsrn• Maintaining health weight and losing extra kilos if neededrn• Eating healthy foods – Fruits, Vegetables, Beans, Whole grains, Nuts, Healthy oils, Mediterranean diet, • Eating cooked food with low salt and low saturated or trans fatsrn• Exercising regularly and as directed for at least 30minutes a day with 10minute intervalsrnHow rehabilitation can help head injury after medical management? • Rehabilitation is a methodical focussed approach that emphasises on teaching or directing the affected patient to repetitively perform set of defined and customised activitiesrn• Rehabilitation helps to regain and relearn the lost functions and abilities while developing skills to circumvent unrecoverable disabilities with alternative activities or flairsrn• Rehabilitation is provided by a large group of healthcare professionals including – Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Neuropsychologist, Physical Therapist, Occupational therapist, Language therapist, Dietician and Recreation therapist