The reason you get a bump when you hit your head is because the tiny blood vessels under the skin are injured when you hit your head, which causes blood to leak out into the surrounding tissue, causing the swelling that forms a bump or knot on the head.
Minor head injuries are common in people of all ages and rarely result in any permanent brain damage.
If you, your child or anyone else experiences a knock, bump or blow to the head, sit them down, comfort them, and make sure they rest.
You can hold a cold compress to their head or try a bag of ice or frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel.
You can most often tell if a head injury is mild or severe is in how long the head injury lasts.
Although you should get treatment and get a scan of the brain and head to determine what type of head injury you actually have and to make sure you don't have any possible internal bleeding of the brain.
A mild head injury or concussion may last only hours to seven to 10 days.
More severe head injuries and concussions may last weeks to months.
Symptoms of a mild head injury or concussion that can occur minutes to hours after injury may include memory loss, confusion, headache, dizziness, balance problems, nausea or vomiting, tiredness, crankiness, or irritability.
The average person has only 2 concussions in a lifetime although some people have had 3 concussions in their lifetime.
There is no set number as to how many concussions humans can have before they suffer permanent damage.
After all, some athletes experience symptoms for years after just one concussion, while others are seemingly okay after having more than one.
Having just one concussion is too many although if you have more than one concussion then you could suffer other health problems and brain problems as well.
The risks of sustaining multiple concussions are serious.
Research has shown that people who have multiple concussions are at an increased risk of long-term impairment, such as forgetfulness, “foggy” thinking, difficulty concentrating, balance issues, difficulty focusing and trouble with eyesight.
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function.
Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination.
Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head.
Approximately 80 percent of concussions resolve over seven to 14 days, with an average of 10 days.
People with concussions should never return to sports or other physical activity sooner than one week from sustaining the injury.
Sleeping isn't dangerous when you have a concussion.
You won't slip into a coma or die if you go to sleep after getting a concussion.
It's safe for a concussed person to sleep if they are awake and can hold a conversation, and they don't have obvious concussion symptoms.
In general, any head injury associated with loss of consciousness, seizures, prolonged confusion or amnesia, neck pain, vomiting or numbness or weakness in arms or legs should be transported to the emergency room in an ambulance right away.
Seek emergency care for an adult or child who experiences a head injury and signs and symptoms such as: Repeated vomiting or nausea.
A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds.
A headache that gets worse over time.
Your doctor will recommend that you physically and mentally rest to recover from a concussion.
Relative rest, which includes limiting activities that require thinking and mental concentration, is recommended for the first two days after a concussion.
The symptoms of a concussion include.
Headache or “pressure” in head.
Nausea or vomiting.
Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.
Bothered by light or noise.
Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.
Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.