Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older patients. Head trauma in the elderly represents a particularly challenging subset of cases in patients with trauma. Elderly patients tend to have a higher number of chronic medical conditions, which increases the risk of death in traumatic injuries. [1]Author:
Garrett Yee, Ashika JainPublish Year:
2020

What do you do when an elderly person hits their head?

An older person who falls and hits their head should see their doctor right away to make sure they don’t have a brain injury. Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities.

Can old head injuries be dangerous?

“Repetitive head injuries can be the result of physical abuse, car accidents, multiple falls. You may be at risk for CTE [chronic traumatic encephalopathy] later in life.” CTE and related head injuries can lead to short-term memory problems and difficulty in making reasoned judgments and decisions.

Can an old head injury cause problems years later?

This can lead to difficulties such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, irritability and memory problems . While most people are symptom-free within two weeks, some can experience problems for months or even years after a minor head injury .

Which is a sign of a serious head injury?

Symptoms usually fall into four categories:

Why do the elderly die after a fall?

“People can die after a fall for many reasons, which may include head trauma, internal bleeding and complications of a bone fracture,” he said. “Fractures can lead to hospitalization, immobility in bed and respiratory or other infections, which can be fatal.” Several steps can be taken to reduce the risk, Pahor said.

What happens when elderly fall?

Falls often cause injuries. Some of the injuries, such as a broken hip, can be serious. Older people are more likely to break bones in falls because many older people have porous, fragile bones (osteoporosis). Some injuries caused by a fall are fatal.

What is the most common complication of a head injury?

Physical complications Seizures . Some people with traumatic brain injury will develop seizures . Fluid buildup in the brain ( hydrocephalus ). Infections. Blood vessel damage. Headaches. Vertigo.

Can you die from a head injury years later?

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Adults hospitalized with mild head injuries have almost double the risk of dying in the next 15 years compared to similar people with no history of head injury , according to a new UK study.

When to CT scan after head injury?

According to the rule, CT is needed if the patient meets one or more of the following seven criteria: GCS score lower than 15 two hours after injury . Suspected open or depressed skull fracture.

Can brain injury symptoms show up years later?

Any brain injury can be catastrophic and life-changing. Some symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may not manifest for months or even years after a brain injury occurs. At that time, a damage victim may exhibit difficulty concentrating, processing information, remembering, speaking, or understanding.

Can MRI show old brain injury?

MRI might show brain atrophy long after the injury , which results when injured or dead brain tissue is reabsorbed after TBI . Since injured brain tissue might not fully recover after TBI , doctors might detect TBI -related changes many years following an injury .

Does a brain injury shorten life expectancy?

Despite initial hospitalization and inpatient rehabilitation services, about 50% of people with TBI will experience further decline in their daily lives or die within 5 years of their injury . Some of the health consequences of TBI can be prevented or reduced .

How can I tell if a head injury is mild or severe?

Symptoms may include: Mild head injury : Raised, swollen area from a bump or a bruise. Moderate to severe head injury (requires immediate medical attention)–symptoms may include any of the above plus: Loss of consciousness. Severe headache that does not go away. Repeated nausea and vomiting.

What should you watch after head injury?

Signs of a brain injury after a head injury include: unconsciousness – either brief ( concussion ) or for a longer period of time. fits or seizures. problems with the senses – such as hearing loss or double vision. repeated vomiting. blood or clear fluid coming from the ears or nose. memory loss (amnesia)

Can I sleep if I hit my head?

A person can go to sleep following a concussion if he or she is awake and able to hold a conversation. No other symptoms, such as dilated pupils or trouble walking, should be present before sleeping . Dr. Rudolph treats concussions regularly in children, teens and adults.