Mild Head Injury Home Management

1. See Also
   1. Head Injury
   2. Management of Mild Head Injury
   3. Concussion
   4. Postconcussive Syndrome
2. Management
   1. One week follow-up clinic (or immediately if warning signs occur as below)
   2. Avoid Alcohol and sedating medications for 3 days
   3. Remain with a reliable companion for 24 hours
   4. Symptomatic relief
      1. Sunglasses for photophobia
      2. Ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones for phonophobia
      3. Avoid NSAIDs if any risk of intracranial bleeding
      4. See Postconcussive Syndrome
   5. Cognitive rest
      1. Decrease activites that require concentration or attention
      2. Limit school work, television, computer work as well as text messaging and video games
   6. Physical rest
      1. Decrease physical activities that exacerbate symptoms
      2. Limit aerobic Exercise, weight lifting, household chores, sexual activity
3. Management: Return or call immediately for
   1. Difficult to awaken
      1. Awaken every 2-4 hours from sleep
   2. Excessive Sleepiness
   3. Convulsions or Seizures
   4. Bleeding or watery discharge from ear or nose
   5. Severe Headache
   6. Weakness or loss of feeling in arm or leg
   7. Confusion or strange behavior
   8. Eye changes
      1. One pupil larger than the other
      2. Peculiar eye movements
      3. Double Vision
   9. Slow pulse (<50/minute) or rapid pulse (>110/minute)
   10. Unusual breathing pattern
   11. Urinary Incontinence or bowel Incontinence
4. References
   1. Lawler (1996) J Head Trauma Rehabil 11:18-28