Head Injuries

Care Tips for Head Injuries

If you have experienced a head injury that is not severe enough to require hospitalization, as decided by a qualified physician, stick to the following:

• Maintain limited activity for 48 hours. This includes no school for children and no work for adults, depending on the injury.
• Drink clear liquids only for eight hours followed by reduced amounts of food for the next 24 hours.
• Take only nonaspirin pain medications for headache or discomfort. Speak with the pharmacist if you’re not sure whether or not a particular medication is aspirin free.
• Wake the patient every two to three hours during the first night post injury.

Consult your primary care physician immediately if any of the following signs appear:

• Persistent nausea and/or vomiting
• Unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking up
• Uneven pupil sizes or different-looking pupils
• Weakness, paralysis, or numbness in arms or legs or difficulty walking
• Confusion or disorientation
• Significant changes in breathing patterns
• Persistent dizziness