Read more about how severe head injuries are diagnosed. If you have a severe head injury, you’ll be closely monitored and frequently reassessed to check your condition. Some people with significant head injuries have a high GCS score initially, but their score decreases when they're reassessed at a later stage.

If a person has a severe head injury, they'll have a score of 8 or less. A score of 9 to 12 would be a moderate head injury. This is a scale from 3 to 15 that identifies how serious your head injury is, based on your symptoms and whether the brain has been damaged (with 3 being most severe and 15 the least severe).Ī GCS score of 13 or above would indicate a minor head injury. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is often used to assess head injuries. If you’ve had a severe head injury and there’s a chance you may have a brain injury, you’ll have a computerised tomography (CT) scan to assess the seriousness of the injury.

the injury wasn't accidental – for example, you deliberately hurt yourself or someone else hurt you on purpose.the person has been drinking alcohol or has taken drugs.the person has had previous problems with uncontrollable bleeding or a blood clotting disorder, or is taking medication that may cause bleeding problems, such as warfarin.

the person has had previous brain surgery.the injury was caused by a forceful blow to the head at speed, such as being hit by a car or falling one metre or more.You should also go to hospital if someone has injured their head and: Alternatively, take them immediately to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department. difficulty with walking or co-ordinationĭial 999 immediately to request an ambulance if you're with someone who experiences any of these symptoms after sustaining a head injury.sudden swelling or bruising around both eyes or behind the ear.blood or clear fluid coming from the ears or nose.problems with the senses – such as hearing loss or double vision.concussion – a sudden but short-lived loss of mental function that occurs after a blow or other injury to the head a person with concussion may have a glazed look or appear confused, but won’t necessarily be unconscious.unconsciousness – where a person has collapsed and is unresponsive, even for a brief period of time.Symptoms of a severe head injury can include: This topic focuses on severe head injury. Severe head injuries require immediate medical attention because there's a risk of serious brain damage.

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