: Types of Head Injuries and Symptoms to Look For

Types of head injuries

A concussion is a jarring injury to the brain. A person who has a concussion usually, but not always, passes out for a short while. The person may feel dazed and may lose vision or balance for a while after the injury.

A brain contusion is a bruise of the brain. This means there is some bleeding in the brain, causing swelling.

A skull fracture is when the skull cracks. Sometimes the edges of broken skull bones cut into the brain and cause bleeding or other injury

A hematoma is bleeding in the brain that collects and clots, forming a bump. A hematoma may not be apparent for a day or even as long as several weeks. So it's important to tell your doctor if someone with a head injury feels or acts oddly. Watch out for headaches, listlessness, balance problems or throwing up.

Get help if you notice the following symptoms:

• Any symptom that is getting worse, such as headaches, nausea or sleepiness
• Nausea that doesn't go away
• Changes in behavior, such as irritability or confusion
• Dilated pupils (pupils that are bigger than normal) or pupils of different sizes
• Trouble walking or speaking
• Drainage of bloody or clear fluids from ears or nose
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs

General Brain Injury Topics

• General Brain Injury Verdicts
• Pediatric Brain Injury
• Types of Brain Injuries

General Brain Injury Videos

General Brain Injury Links

• General Brain Injury - Brain Injury Association of America
Official website for the Brain Injury Association of America - includes symptoms, treatments, contacts, etc.
• General Brain Injury - Medline Plus- Brain Injury
General information on head injuries including types, symptoms, treatment, and other resources.