View source for Head injury history and symptoms

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{{Head injury}}
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==Symptoms==
Presentation varies according to the injury.  Some patients with head trauma stabilize and other patients deteriorate. A patient may present with or without [[neurologic deficit]]. 

Patients with a concussion may have a history of being unconscious for seconds to minutes followed by a normal return to consciousness. Disturbance of vision and equilibrium may also occur. 

Common symptoms of head injury include those indicative of traumatic brain injury:
*[[coma|Loss of consciousness]] 
*Confusion 
*Drowsiness 
*Personality change
*[[Seizure]]s 
*[[Nausea]] and [[vomiting]] 
*[[Headache]]
*A [[lucid interval]], during which a patient appears conscious only to deteriorate later

Symptoms of a skull fracture can include:
*Leaking [[cerebrospinal fluid]] (a clear fluid drainage from the [[nose]], [[mouth]] or [[ear]]) may be and is strongly indicative of a [[skull fracture|basilar skull fracture]] and the tearing of sheaths surrounding the [[brain]], which can lead to secondary brain [[infection]].  
*Visible deformity or depression in the head or face; for example a sunken eye can indicate a [[maxilla]]r fracture
*An eye that cannot move or is deviated to one side can indicate that a broken facial bone is pinching a [[nerve]] that innervates eye muscles.
*[[Wound]]s or bruises on the scalp or face.
*[[Basilar skull fracture]]s, those that occur at the base of the [[skull]], are associated with [[Battle's sign]], a [[subcutaneous]] bleed over the [[mastoid]], [[hemotympanum]], and [[cerebrospinal fluid]], [[rhinorrhea]], and [[otorrhea]]. 

Because brain injuries can be life threatening, even people with apparently slight injuries, with no noticeable signs or complaints, require close observation.  The caretakers of those patients with mild trauma, who are released from the hospital, are frequently advised to rouse the patient several times during the next 12 to 24 hours to assess for worsening symptoms.

==References==
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[[Category:Neurotrauma]]
[[Category:Injuries]]
[[Category:Needs overview]]