Head injuries can be quite common in our day to day lives. They can range from minor bumps and bruises to severe traumatic brain injuries. Head injuries usually manifest with symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, and nausea.
However, did you know that the severity of a head injury can also affect your eyes? In this article, we discuss the different head bump symptoms and how the severity of a head injury can manifest in your eyes.
What Are The Different Types Of Head Injuries?
Before we dive into the head bump symptoms, let’s first look at the different types of head injuries. Head injuries can be classified as either closed or open.
Closed Head Injuries
Closed head injuries are the most common type of head injury. They occur when there is a blow to the head that does not penetrate the skull. Examples of closed head injuries include concussions and contusions.
Open Head Injuries
Open head injuries occur when there is a break in the skull, and the brain is exposed. These types of injuries can be very severe and require immediate medical attention.
Examples of open head injuries include skull fractures and penetrating head injuries.
Head Bump Symptoms
Head bump symptoms can manifest in different ways, and in some cases, they can affect your eyes. Here are some of the common head bump symptoms:.
Headache
A headache is the most common symptom of a head injury. It can range from a mild discomfort to a severe, throbbing pain that lasts for several hours or even days. A headache can also affect your vision, causing blurred or double vision.
Dizziness
Dizziness is another common symptom of a head injury. It can make you feel lightheaded, unsteady, or disoriented. In some cases, it can also affect your vision, causing you to see things spinning or moving.
Confusion
Confusion is a common symptom of a moderate to severe head injury. It can make you feel disoriented, forgetful, or have trouble concentrating. In some cases, it can also affect your vision, causing you to see things blurred or distorted.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of a head injury. They can cause you to feel sick to your stomach, dizzy, or even dehydrated. In some cases, they can also affect your vision, causing you to see things blurred or distorted.
Seizures
Seizures are a rare but severe symptom of a head injury. They can cause you to lose consciousness, have convulsions, or make sudden movements. In some cases, they can also affect your vision, causing you to see things flashing or blinking.
How Severity Manifests in Your Eyes
Now that we know the different head bump symptoms let us look at how the severity of a head injury can manifest in your eyes.
Mild Head Injury
In mild cases, there may be visible swelling or redness around the eyes and eyelids. This is because the head bump may have caused a small blood vessel to break, causing blood to collect in the surrounding tissue.
In some cases, the eyes may become slightly swollen, making them appear puffy and red. Additionally, there may be a mild sensitivity to light and blurred vision.
Moderate Head Injury
In moderate cases, there may be more visible swelling around the eyes, increasing the puffiness and redness. The eyes may be unusually sensitive to light, causing a temporary loss of vision.
There could also be a temporary loss of muscle control, causing crossed eyes or double vision. This is because the injury may have jostled the eye sockets enough to affect the alignment of the eyes.
Severe Head Injury
In severe cases, there may be noticeable blackening around the eyes, which is commonly referred to as “raccoon eyes.” This is because there may be a brain bleed, which causes pooling of blood in the surrounding area.
The eyes may also become dilated and unresponsive to light. Additionally, there may be a complete loss of vision, or the eyes may move rapidly back and forth (nystagmus).
Conclusion
It is essential to be aware of the different head bump symptoms and how the severity of a head injury can manifest in your eyes. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention to rule out any severe complications.
Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to head injuries.