Head Injuries

Head Injuries services offered in Castle Hills, San Antonio, TX

Head injuries don’t always present clear symptoms, but they can present serious threats to your overall health. Melissa Kempf, MD, and the team at Injury and Health Urgent Care in San Antonio, Texas, provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for many types of head injuries. If you or a loved one needs care, booking a visit is as easy as making a quick phone call or spending a few moments online.

Head Injuries Q&A

What are the symptoms of head injuries?

Head injuries include any injury that affects your head, scalp, or skull. These injuries can range in severity from a mild bump that creates no symptoms to a traumatic head injury that can change the course of your life. A concussion is a very common form of head injury.

Not all serious head injuries create clear symptoms, which is why it’s so important to come in for a diagnostic exam any time you sustain a head injury. When symptoms are present, they might include:

Headache
Temporary ringing of the ears
Lightheadedness
Mild confusion
Nausea
Sensation of spinning

If you experience loss of consciousness, loss of muscle control, severe disorientation, or an inability to focus your eyes, seek emergency medical attention right away.

What kinds of diagnostic tools are used for head injuries?

Reaching a proper diagnosis begins with a discussion of how the injury occurred, as well as which symptoms you’ve experienced and their severity. In the case of a serious head injury, bring a friend or loved one in with you to help explain your circumstances.

Your practitioner also uses a diagnostic tool called the Glasgow Coma Scale to assess your current mental state. This test is a simple way to determine if your head injury has caused any type of cognitive issues.

A physical exam checks for signs of trauma, both on your head and body. A simple neurological exam is included. X-ray imaging can check for skull fractures, and an electroencephalogram (EEG) can check the electrical activity within your brain.

How are head injuries treated?

Once your practitioner determines the type and extent of your head injury, you can begin to explore treatment options. With minor head injuries, a wait-and-see approach is often recommended. Pay close attention to how you feel and function, and be prepared to return if symptoms worsen.

If you have lacerations to your scalp, suturing can close those wounds. Medication can help control pain or prevent seizures. For severe injuries, surgery might be necessary, in addition to a period of rehabilitation to help you regain healthy function once you begin to heal.

If you have additional questions or concerns about head injuries, reach out to Injury and Health Urgent Care for answers. Book a visit using the online scheduling tool, or call the office during normal business hours to check appointment availability.