Severe head injuries can cause serious complications. This is mainly because a serious injury to the head can potentially damage the brain, sometimes permanently.
In particularly severe cases, a serious head injury can result in death. This is why your condition is so closely monitored when you are admitted to hospital with a head injury. If you are closely monitored then any complications which arise can be dealt with more promptly and effectively.
Infection
If your skull is fractured during your head injury then it may increase the risk of you developing an infection. Skull fractures can occasionally tear the membrane (thin layer of cells) which surrounds the brain.
If this membrane then becomes infected with bacteria, it can, in some cases, lead to meningitis. This is a potentially fatal condition which can affect your whole nervous system.
It is also important that you keep any external wounds on your head clean and sterile so that they do not become infected.
Coma
A coma is when you are unconscious and unresponsive for a prolonged period of time. Some people who have severe head injuries may enter into a coma. Most comas only last a few days or weeks, although they can last for years.
Many people recover from comas. However, in some severe cases the patient never regains consciousness, or goes into a vegetative state.
A person in a vegetative state may seem to be awake and may show some limited physical response, but they have no awareness of their surroundings and are incapable of feeling mental distress or physical pain.
Brain damage
A severe head injury can damage the brain in several ways, which can lead to a variety of complications. Some types of brain damage are only temporary. Others result in permanent damage.
The effects of brain damage fall into four main categories which are outlined below.
Physical effects
Physical effects of brain damage include weakness, stiffness, loss of coordination, and paralysis.
Hormonal effects
Some people who have moderate and severe head injuries damage the working of the pituitary gland. This may lead to the low production of hormones, such as testosterone, which can cause erectile dysfunction (impotence). Testosterone treatment successfully treats this consequence of damage to the pituitary gland.
Sensory effects
You may notice that your senses are affected following a head injury. For example, you may have ringing in your ears, blind spots, double vision, or a bitter taste in your mouth.
Cognitive effects
Following a head injury, your ability to think, reason, process information, and solve problems may be affected.
You may also experience problems with your memory, particularly your short-term memory, and have difficulty with your speech and communication skills.
Emotional or behavioural effects
After a severe head injury, you may experience changes to your feelings and behaviour. For example, you may have feelings of restlessness, irritation, anger, selfishness, or stubbornness. You may also have a tendency to laugh or cry more than before the injury.
