Head injury (adult): aftercare advice (from the Emergency Department)

Please speak to a healthcare professional before following the advice below

You have been examined by a doctor / nurse to see if there is any immediate problem following your head injury, and they do not feel a stay in hospital is needed.

Why does someone have to stay with me for the next 24 to 48 hours?

Very rarely, complications may happen after a minor head injury, so someone must stay with you for the next 24 to 48 hours to make sure that your condition / behaviour does not change in any way.

How should I look after myself when I get home from hospital?

Do not

• Do not drink alcohol.

• Do not take any sedatives (such as sleeping tablets or tranquillisers), but continue to take other prescribed medication as normal.

• Do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours.

Do

• Do rest for one to two days.

• Do avoid contact sports for two weeks.

• Do take simple painkillers (such as paracetamol and / or ibuprofen) as directed on the bottle / container if you have a simple headache.

If you notice any of the following signs, please go to your nearest Emergency Department immediately.

• An increasingly severe or persistent headache.

• Increasing restlessness, irritability, or strange behaviour.

• Increasing sleepiness and difficulty in waking.

• Problems with balance, including falling over.

• Blurred or double vision.

• Vomiting twice or more.

• Convulsive movements of any part of the body, and / or weakness, or paralysis.

• Unusual drowsiness or unconsciousness.