Under normal conditions the delicate brain is somewhat mobile and protected, from contact with the spiny contours of the skull, with cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid surrounds the brain and cushions it from contact with interior shell of the skull. When the head is introduced to violent forces, like in automobile accidents, forceful falls, shaking or whiplash, the brain can undergo permanent damage. This damage is the result of the delicate brain being forcibly rotated and battered within the spiny skull or brain vault. Usually resulting in bleeding, swelling, and bruising of brain tissue the damage can cause temporary or permanent consequences.
Treatment
Minor and moderate head injuries can by treated with time and sometimes medicine. A minor concussion will typically fade within a few days or weeks, but can cause substantial difficulties or impairments that could possibly last a lifetime. Sometimes people with these head injuries don�t even go to the hospital because the effects of their injury are not immediately apparent. Months could go by before changes become noticeable. Then, to properly diagnose the patient special training and expertise are required. These fields of specialization and expertise are called Neurophysiology and Neuropsychiatry. Neurophysiology is defined as the study of relationships between brain and behavior; the study of cognitive (language, memory, etc.) and behavioral symptoms that occur in people with brain disorders. Neuropsychiatry is the branch of medicine dealing with mental disorders attributable to diseases or injury of the nervous system. Even minor brain injury can cause a reduction in self-awareness which makes it difficult to recognize changes in ones self. It can cause mental confusion and uncertainty about previous events and experiences. Because brain injury can cause memory impairments and expressive disorders it is sometimes hard for a doctor to come up with an accurate "symptom picture.�
Traumatic and severe head injury victims should be sent to the hospital. Depending on the severity, the person could be sent to the intensive care unit (ICU). Medications are almost always used to decrease brain swelling, prevent seizures, or to treat infections. If the intracranial pressure is very high or difficult to control, a medication induced coma can be induced to prevent further swelling.
Medical equipment that could possibly be used on traumatic or severe head injury patients include a ventilator/ respirator, intravenous lines (IV), Arterial lines, Foley catheter, nasogastric tube, anti-embolism stockings, and sequential compression stockings.
EKG machine- wires are placed on the body to monitor the heart.
Intracranial Pressure Monitor- a device that indicates the amount of pressure in the brain. It is necessary because swollen brain tissue can compress, causing further injury or death.
Ventricular Drain- a tube is placed in the brain that drains cerebral spinal fluid into a drainage bag, measures pressure changes and amount of fluid drained.
Pulse Oximeter- a small clamp like device, placed on a person�s finger, toe, or earlobe, that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood stream.
Many tests and assessments can be used on patients to help doctors in diagnosis to ensure healing. Some tests commonly used on severe head injury patients are an Arterial Blood Gas (ABS), X-ray, Angiogram, PET Scan, SPECT Scan, Neurological Exam, Glasgow Coma Scale, and Rancho Los Amigos Scale.
Electrolytes- a blood sample is used to measure levels of electrolytes (sodium, chloride, urea, potassium, bicarbonate, creatine, and nitrogen) to determine how efficiently the body is managing or producing amounts of electrolytes, which are necessary for bodily functions.
EEG (Electroence phalogram) - electrodes, small metal discs, are placed on a person�s scalp. The EEG detects any brain abnormalities, like seizures.
CT or CAT Scan- used to view bleeding, blood clots, swelling, or compression in the brain. The scan can also be used to see if there is harm to brain structures, facial bones, or the skull. CT Scans take pictures of the brain in layers, so the images produced are slices that make up the brain.
MRI (Magnetic resonance Imaging) - provides a more detailed view of the brain structure than a CT or CAT scan. It is especially used for examining the brain stem and cerebellum structure (deep brain structures)
For more information and explanation on the above listed medical equipment and tests visit the first link listed on the top left side of the page.