Treatment of Head injury

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If you are at all worried about bumps to the head, it is important to get medical advice.

After a minor head injury, it is best to rest and not take part in any strenuous activity for 24 hours. Do not drink alcohol or take any medication that makes you feel sleepy, and make sure you are not alone in case you develop any further symptoms or pass out.

If a child has a mild head injury, with none of the symptoms of brain injury, you should make sure they rest. Keep a close eye on them for at least 24 hours, although it is unlikely they have done any serious damage.

For headaches, take paracetamol or ibuprofen but not aspirin (because aspirin may increase bleeding). Children can have liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always follow dosage instructions on the packet. Never give aspirin to children under 16.

Serious head injuries need to be treated in hospital.

Damage to the skull usually heals naturally but may take a few months. If the skull has been fractured, bone fragments may be pushed inwards and will need to be repaired with surgery to stop them pressing on the brain. External cuts to the head may require stitches.

Damage to the brain is first treated with drugs to help to reduce any swelling. An operation is needed if a blood clot develops or if there is internal bleeding.

Further treatment after a serious brain injury depends on the symptoms. This may include physiotherapy to improve movement, stress management programmes, muscle relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Nursing staff, physiotherapists and psychologists, working with your GP, can advise about the best possible treatment and help to work out a programme that best suits the personâ€™s needs.