There is a close relationship between head injuries and coma. Follow the following article to learn more about the subject.
Head injuries and coma: highlights
Coma usually occurs in the event of high pressure in the brain, bleeding or accumulation of toxins in it, and head injuries are one of the most important causes that lead to coma.
Read the following article to learn more about the relationship between head injuries and coma:
Head injuries and coma
Coma is a state of unconsciousness and inability to respond to any stimulus, and it usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks, and it can also be a state of decreased consciousness during which the patient can move and feel pain.
The relationship between head injuries and coma lies in the fact that 50% of coma cases occur as a result of various head injuries, which result in a disturbance in the blood flow to the brain.
The severity of the injury varies, as it may be temporary, which means that it will not cause any complications or damage to brain functions, while other, more severe injuries can cause brain damage and other complications that may lead to death.
Coma after acute head injuries is a matter of concern that requires special attention by doctors. It usually results from moderate to severe injuries, and is one of the most common causes of permanent disability or death.
Types of head injuries leading to coma
There are several types of head injuries, such as the following
1. Closed head injury
Closed head injuries occur when the head experiences severe bruising or vibration inside the skull as a result of an injury, which can cause tissue damage. These injuries usually result from car accidents or falls while playing sports.
2. Open head injuries
These injuries cause penetration and fracture of the skull, as it may be due to the entry of some foreign objects into the brain, such as: bullets or glass.
Causes of coma resulting from head injuries
Head injuries cause many problems in the brain that result in coma, such as the following
1. Hypoxia
Some head injuries, such as: falling on the head or drowning, may cause a state of interruption in the access of oxygen to brain cells, which may cause death in these tissues after several minutes and thus cause a sudden coma.
2. Swelling of the head
Some head injuries may cause enlargement of the skull, and a collection of fluids in the brain, which causes damage to some tissues responsible for consciousness in the body.
Treatment of coma resulting from head injuries
Brain tissue is one of the tissues that cannot tolerate a prolonged interruption of oxygen, so it is usually recommended to treat the condition as soon as possible.
The key to initiating treatment is a CT scan of the skull. The method of treatment is determined depending on the location and severity of the injury, the presence of bleeding in the area, and the duration of the coma.
In most cases, death rates for people who are in a coma for a period of more than 24 hours reach 40% of cases.
The depth of the coma and the duration the patient spends in it varies according to the location and severity of the injury, as a number of patients recover after a certain period, while others suffer from serious complications.
Head injury prevention tips
Many important tips can be followed to prevent exposure to any head injuries, and thus avoid any possibility of coma, including the following:
Obligation to wear a seat belt when riding any vehicle, and to install children in the back seats.
Do not go out, drive a car, or do any physical activity while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Make sure to wear the appropriate condom when practicing different types of sports.
Ensure that all necessary precautions are taken with regard to the elderly, by conducting regular visual examinations for them, placing non-slip carpets at home, and improving home lighting for them.
Not allowing children to play on balconies, and installing protective bars on windows to prevent any accidents.
