head, neck and spinal injuries
What are head, neck and spinal injuries?
Head injury- A head injury is any trauma that injures the scalp, skull, or brain. The injury may be only a minor bump on the skull or a serious brain injury.
Neck injury- A neck injury commonly occurs during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, or projects around the home. The injury may only be a sprain but sometimes it can lead to a severe spinal injury.
Spinal injury- The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A spinal cord injury is very serious because it can cause loss of movement (paralysis) below the site of the injury.
Head injury- A head injury is any trauma that injures the scalp, skull, or brain. The injury may be only a minor bump on the skull or a serious brain injury.
Neck injury- A neck injury commonly occurs during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, or projects around the home. The injury may only be a sprain but sometimes it can lead to a severe spinal injury.
Spinal injury- The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A spinal cord injury is very serious because it can cause loss of movement (paralysis) below the site of the injury.
Signs and Symptoms of head, neck and spinal injuries:
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What First Aid/Treatment could I give someone suffering from a head, neck or spinal injury?
In managing these symptoms you will need to consider the possibility of a spinal injury. If the casualty is responsive, keep them still and reassure them, continually monitor their vital signs, call triple zero and seek urgent medical assistance. In the event of discharge from ear, do not plug the ear but cover lightly with a sterile cloth allowing the ear to drain. If the patient is unresponsive, conduct your primary survey (DRABCD) and call triple zero.
In managing these symptoms you will need to consider the possibility of a spinal injury. If the casualty is responsive, keep them still and reassure them, continually monitor their vital signs, call triple zero and seek urgent medical assistance. In the event of discharge from ear, do not plug the ear but cover lightly with a sterile cloth allowing the ear to drain. If the patient is unresponsive, conduct your primary survey (DRABCD) and call triple zero.