Causes, Effects, and Treatment of Open and Closed Head Injuries

The brain is the most protected organ in the human body. This extraordinary organ has separated humans from the other species on our planet. This control center of the human body contains 86 billion neurons, facilitating consciousness and thought, memory, sensory processing, movements of muscles, and regulation of essential body functions such as breathing, body temperature, heart rate, hormones, and more. Your unique personality is because of your brain. 

The skull is the first line of defense, protecting the brain from damage caused by external forces. The cerebrospinal fluid protects the brain by absorbing shocks. Depending on the severity, a brain injury can have severe and long-lasting effects on your health and well-being. Brain injuries are categorized as the following by their severity:

• Concussion or Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Moderate Traumatic Brain Injuries 
• Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries

A jolt or bump to the head can cause mild traumatic brain injuries. The symptoms of these injuries include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Memory problems 
• Confusion 

Moderate Traumatic Brain Injuries

A moderate traumatic brain injury is more severe than a mild traumatic brain injury. A person with moderate traumatic brain injury experiences symptoms including:

• Memory loss
• Prolonged confusion 
• Seizures 
• Slurred Speech 

Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

Injuries causing severe brain damage fall under this category. A severe traumatic brain injury can lead to coma or death. Symptoms of severe traumatic brain injuries include:

• Long-term disabilities     
• Severe neurological impairments
• Long-term loss of consciousness

Open Head Injuries and Closed Head Injuries 

Brain injuries are also categorized based on damage to the skull. Open head injuries occur when the skull is penetrated due to some external force. In closed-head injuries, the skull remains intact, and damage happens due to some internal force.

Open Head Injuries 

An open head injury occurs when an external object penetrates the skull and damages the brain tissue. A skull breach can leave the brain partially or fully exposed. Open head injuries often leave open wounds which increases the risk of infections due to bacteria and other pathogens. Brain tissue is fragile. So, even the smallest amount of force due to foreign object intrusion can cause severe damage. 

Common Causes of Open Head Injuries 

The human skull is tough and resilient. It requires a high-impact event to penetrate the skull.  The common causes of open head injuries include:

• Falls from heights
• Gunshot wounds
• Industrial accidents 
• Impalement
• Explosions 
• Road accidents 

Potential Complications of Open Head Injuries 

The risk of severe complications is very high due to open head injuries. These include:

• Brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
• Seizures 
• Hemorrhage (increased intracranial pressure due to bleeding in the brain) 
• Hydrocephalus (increased internal pressure on the skull due to excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulation)
• Sensory impairments such as problems with smell, taste, vision, or hearing
• Physical disabilities
• Cognitive impairments such as problems with decision-making, problem-solving, memory, and concentration
• Emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, and changes in the personality 

Open Head Injuries Treatment

An open head injury requires immediate attention as it is always complex. The treatment aims to stabilize the patient, control bleeding, prevent infection, and treat brain damage. 

Emergency Care 

The priority of emergency care is maintaining the required blood pressure by preventing blood loss. Emergency care aims to supply adequate oxygen and blood to the brain. The head and neck movements are minimized to prevent further injuries.    

Surgery 

Surgery is required to remove the foreign object, stop bleeding, and relieve pressure due to swelling. 

Medication 

Antibiotics are used to prevent infection. Anti-seizure medications help in reducing the risk of seizures. Pain relievers are prescribed for pain management. 

Open Head Injuries Recovery 

Not all patients with open head injuries make a full recovery. There are multiple stages of recovery, including:

Acute care 

This initial phase of recovery aims to stabilize the patient and prevent complications.  

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation aims to address impairments through physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and emotional support.       

Long-term care

Long-term care includes vocational rehabilitation, assistive devices, and medication management. 

If open head injuries occur due to someone’s negligence or careless action, the victim can hire a Boston brain injury lawyer to secure appropriate compensation.     

Closed Head Injuries 

The skull remains intact in a closed head injury. Since there is no skull penetration, there is no risk of infections, bleeding, or damage to brain tissue due to a foreign object. There are different types of closed-head injuries, including concussion, contusion (brain tissue bruising), diffuse axonal injury (nerve fibers damage within the brain), and Hematoma(a pool of mostly clotted blood outside of blood vessels).      

Common Causes of Closed Head Injuries

A sudden, forceful impact on the head often causes closed-head injuries. These impacts occur due to:

• Falls 
• Motor vehicle accidents 
• Sports injuries 
• Workplace accidents
• Assaults

Potential Complications of Closed Head Injuries

The immediate complications of closed head injuries include:

• Seizures
• Coma 
• Increased intracranial pressure

Closed head injuries can also have long-term complications, including:

• Cognitive impairments such as attention, memory, learning, and problem-solving
• Physical disabilities such as sensory loss, weakness, or paralysis  
• Emotional and behavioral changes      
• Chronic headaches
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Post-traumatic epilepsy

Closed Head Injury Treatment and Recovery

The closed head injury treatment depends on the severity of the injury. The treatment for such injuries includes immediate care and rehabilitation. 

Immediate Care

Immediate care is crucial for severe head injuries to prevent further damage to the brain. Maintaining the airway, breathing, and circulation is essential. MRI or CT scans are required to assess the extent of the damage. Some injuries can cause blood clots, which often require surgery. Medications help prevent seizures, manage pain, or control swelling. 

Rehabilitation   

The patient requires physical therapy to regain mobility and strength. Occupational therapy helps with daily living activities. Rehabilitation also requires other therapies, including cognitive rehabilitation, speech therapy, and psychological support.                 

Impacts of Traumatic Brain Injuries 

The impacts of traumatic brain injuries are profound and far-reaching. The injury’s effect depends on the severity, size of the foreign object, and the damaged area. A traumatic brain injury can have the following impacts:

• Physical Impacts
• Cognitive Impacts
• Psychological and emotional impacts 
• Social and occupational impacts 

Life becomes challenging after traumatic brain injuries. Survivors of traumatic brain injuries have legal rights to secure appropriate compensation for brain injuries due to someone’s negligence. If you or one of your loved ones has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to negligence, you can find a Boston brain injury lawyer to get legal support and compensation.