When Should you go to The Doctor After Hitting your Head?

It is a really scary moment when one hits their head. Sometimes, it might not be serious, but knowing when to seek medical help is important. You should always seek advice from a doctor. It is better to be checked and sure than to ignore problems perhaps.

• Headache That Gets Worse: If you have a headache that keeps getting worse over time, it’s a sign that you should see a doctor. A severe or worsening headache might indicate a more serious issue.
• Dizziness or Confusion: Other reasons to see a doctor include dizziness, confusion, or troubles with concentration sometime after hitting your head. These symptoms can be indicative of a concussion or other head injury.
• Loss of Consciousness: If at the time of injury, you lost consciousness, even for a brief moment, you will need to see a doctor right away. This could lead to suspicion of a more significant injury.
• Nausea or Vomiting: If one feels nauseous or vomits after having hit the head, then this may be the signal of a concussion or any other worse condition. In such a scenario, one must consult with a health professional.
• Problems of Vision or Speech: If you have blurring of vision or difficulty in speaking in any way, following a head injury, you should see a physician. These symptoms may indicate a more serious problem.
• Bleeding or Swelling: More often than not, there is bleeding or some kind of swelling on the head. These must be looked into because small cuts might be serious with internal bleeding.
• Unusual Behavior: If you or another individual acts strangely or appears to sleep more than usual after a head injury, then medical attention should be sought.
• Persistent symptoms: Persisting headache, dizziness, or confusion that lasts more than a few hours requires medical attention.

Dr. Naresh Kumar Damesha
Consulting Neurosurgeon