A head injury can range from mild to severe, and knowing when to seek emergency care is crucial for your safety. You should get emergency medical help immediately if the person has lost consciousness, even briefly, or if they show confusion, difficulty waking up, or worsening symptoms like severe headache, repeated vomiting, or seizures. Other urgent signs include clear fluid leaking from the nose or ears, unequal pupil size, weakness or numbness in limbs, trouble breathing, or uncontrollable convulsions. These symptoms may indicate serious brain injury or skull fracture and require prompt evaluation[1][2][6].
If the injury causes persistent or worsening headache, dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty balancing, or mood changes such as irritability or confusion, medical attention should be sought quickly. Even if symptoms seem mild initially, monitoring is important because some problems can develop hours or days later. Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, extreme drowsiness, or unusual behavior changes are also warning signs that should not be ignored[1][3][4].
In less severe cases, symptoms like mild headache, slight dizziness, irritability, or trouble sleeping may occur but often improve without emergency care. However, if these symptoms persist beyond two weeks or worsen, a doctor’s evaluation is recommended. Always err on the side of caution and seek medical advice if you are unsure about the severity of a head injury[6].
Sources
https://www.thechampionfirm.com/blog/head-injury-severity-after-car-accident/
https://resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/brain-and-nerves/head-injury
https://www.rmlawcall.com/early-warning-signs-of-traumatic-brain-injury-after-a-mississippi-car-accident
https://www.tfhd.com/conditions/concussion/
https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/your-services/all-services-a-z/major-trauma/head-injury-advice/
https://www.allymedical.com/blog/when-to-go-to-the-er-10-symptoms-that-always-require-emergency-care/
