Head injury, severe
When you're discharged from hospital, you'll be given information andadvice to help your recovery at home.
Your recovery programme will depend on the exact nature of your injury, your individual needs and general health.
If you're recovering from a severe head injury you may be advised to:
You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop any further symptoms of a severe head injury while recovering at home.
If your child is recovering from a severe head injury, you may be advised to:
Seek immediate medical attention if your child develops any further symptoms of a severe head injury while recovering at home.
You may be advised to see your GP the week after you're discharged from hospital, so they can check how you're coping.
You may also have a number of follow-up appointments at a head injury clinic. These will usually be with a specialist, such as a neurologist (an expert in the brain and nervous system).
Depending on how your head injury has affected you, you may need various types of treatment to help with your recovery, such as:
Headway , the brain injury association, is a charity that provides help and support to people affected by head injuries.
For more information about all aspects of head injuries, you can call the Headway helpline on 0808 800 2244. You can also email the helpline: helpline@headway.org.uk
Helpline staff can:
You can also search for local Headway services . They offer a wide range of services, including rehabilitation programmes, carer support, social re-integration, community outreach and respite care (short-term support for someone who needs care for example, to give the usual carer a break.)
Headway staff can't give medical advice. For this, see your GP or call NHS 111 .
Read about the signs of a severe head injury, such as seizures, unconsciousness, drowsiness, repeated vomiting, and blood or clear liquid coming from the ears or nose.
If any of the symptoms of a severe head injury are present, immediately go to your local accident and emergency (A&E) department or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
A severe head injury must always be treated in hospital to minimise the risk of complications.
Your recovery programme will depend on the exact nature of your injury, your individual needs and general health.
Severe head injuries can cause serious complications, mainly because the brain can be damaged, sometimes permanently.