Things you MUST never do in case of a head injury

Head injuries can prove to be more severe than they seem. A lot of times, immediate first aid steps can avert the situation but with time, symptoms such as headaches, swelling, dizziness, and weakness show up, causing concern.

According to MAIDS, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences (NIMHANS) and All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), the risk of death for riders without helmets is nearly 2.5 times more and 40 per cent of those killed or injured on Indian roads are motorcyclists. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in Maharashtra, of the total deaths that happened due to traffic accidents, close to 12 per cent were due to two-wheeled vehicles. According to UN Motorcycle Helmet Study, motorcyclists have been shown to be 26 times more likely to die in a road accident than drivers of passenger cars. The facts are not only revelationary but are causes of concern for a country where almost each household owns a two-wheeler!

The only possible way to avert head injuries during accidents is by wearing of appropriate helmets and by following traffic rules. Studies show that wearing a helmet can reduce the mortality rate from accidents by 42 per cent and can reduce the chances of head injuries during accidents by a whopping 69 per cent.

A head injury may not always occur during road accidents. They could also happen due to falling, accidents at home or workplace, physical hitting on the head or any other reason that involves a blow on the head. There are ways in which one can prevent or limit damage after a head injury. Doctors advise to do the following as soon as the injury occurs.

Check if the person’s heart rate is normal. Also check his breathing. One can also use rescue breathing to limit damage.

If the person is unconscious and his breathing and heart rate is normal, it could be due to a spinal injury. Place the person’s head and spine in line and stabilize the head by using your hands from both sides. Call for medical help.

If the person has a cut on the head that is bleeding, apply firm pressure over it for at least fifteen minutes to stop bleeding. Use a clean cloth or bandage. However, if the wound is deep, do not waste your time and seek immediate medical attention.

However, if there’s any chance of a skull injury or fracture, do not apply direct pressure over the wound and do not touch any debris that is there on the wound. One can cover it with sterile gauze dressing and wait for medical help.

If the person pukes after the injury, roll his body including his head and neck onto the side like one unit. Try to keep the spine straight. Seek medical help.

If the person who had a head injury now has a swollen patch, apply ice packs on the affected area

There are a few things that you must never do in case of a head injury:

However, in situations where there are not immediate symptoms, one needs to watch out for the following:

Remember, you must never delay seeing a doctor even if you suspect that a head injury may not develop into a serious condition. The brain is one of the most sensitive organs of our body and it needs due care for a healthy mind and body. (Image Courtesy: Thinkstock and Shutterstock)