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Treatment of Brain injury

People who have sustained a head injury should go to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of their local hospital if

  • the head injury has been caused by a road traffic accident, diving accident, or fall from a height greater than one metre or five stairs (or lower if it is a child).

Or if they experience any of the following:

  • unconsciousness, or lack of full consciousness (eg problems keeping the eyes open);
  • problems with speaking, reading or writing, hearing, balance, eyesight, memory, concentration or walking;
  • loss of feeling or general weakness;
  • fluid running from the ears or nose;
  • visible damage to the scalp;
  • a black eye with no associated damage to the eye;
  • bruising behind either of the ears with no associated damage;
  • a seizure (convulsion or fit);
  • a persistent headache since the injury; or
  • vomiting since the injury.

Depending on the cause, some people can have a good recovery from brain damage. The effects brain damage as a result of stroke are often temporary and impairments can improve or even disappear over time. Recovery takes place over several months or even years, and it is usually impossible for medical professionals to predict the final outcomes, particularly in the early stages.

Recovery can be aided by speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and counselling. Where impairments remain, practical help in the form of adaptations to the living environment and the provision of carers for example, can improve a person’s quality of life.