Head injuries can be severe and life-altering, and many people associate them with high-impact accidents, such as car crashes, sports-related collisions or slip-and-falls. However, head injuries can result from various other causes that you might overlook.
You should understand the less conspicuous ways that head injuries happen to determine when you might need medical intervention.
Whiplash
Whiplash is commonly associated with neck and spinal injuries, but it can also result in head injuries. When a sudden jolt or movement forces the head to snap backward and then forward, it can lead to a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury, causing the brain to collide with the skull. This can result in concussions or other head traumas. Whiplash can happen in car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents and similar sudden movements.
Infections and illnesses
Certain infections and diseases can lead to head injuries. Meningitis, for example, is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. In severe cases, it can cause swelling of the brain and potentially lead to brain damage.
Oxygen deprivation
A lack of oxygen to the brain can have severe consequences. This can occur for many reasons, including near-drowning, assault or choking. Without an adequate oxygen supply, brain cells begin to die, causing head injuries that can lead to long-term cognitive impairments.
Understanding the various causes of head injuries beyond impact is important for personal safety. With more than 214,000 brain injury hospitalizations in 2020, you should understand the lesser-known causes of these complications so that you can seek care when necessary.