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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Head Injury

Treatment & Monitoring

What are the treatments for the injury?

Most head injuries require some first aid. The following steps are important when using first aid for a head injury:

The first thing to check is a person's airway and breathing. If necessary, begin CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, right away.

Always consider a possible spinal cord injury when there is an injury to the head, especially if the person is unconscious. Support the head and neck, keep the head in line with the spine, and prevent movement.

Try to stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth.

If there is a possible skull fracture, do not place too much pressure on the site of bleeding. Do not try to remove any objects from the wound. Cover the wound with sterile gauze and get medical help immediately.

If the wound is not deep, wash it with soap and warm water and let it dry.

If there is no suspected spinal cord injury, try to turn the head of a vomiting person to one side to prevent choking.

The emergency medical system should be contacted at once if:

there is severe bleeding

there are many facial cuts

there is a change in the person's level of consciousness

the person is having trouble breathing

a spinal cord injury is suspected

Some important safety measures include:

Avoid removing a helmet from a person who may have a serious head injury. Leave the helmet in place and allow a healthcare professional to remove it.

Avoid washing a head wound that is very deep or bleeding heavily.

Refrain from removing any objects that are sticking out of a wound, especially if they are going very deep into the wound.

Avoid moving the person unnecessarily. Avoid shaking the person if he or she seems dazed or has a decreased level of consciousness. The person may have a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord may be further injured by movement.

Avoid picking up a child or any other person who has fallen and has signs of a head injury.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

It is important to avoid worsening of a spinal cord injury while treating the head injury. Significant airway swelling caused by other injuries to the face is another problem. It is important to keep checking the airway and the person's breathing.

What happens after treatment for the injury?

After treatment for a minor head injury, the person will generally be at home. Follow-up care includes:

applying ice to areas of swelling

using over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen, as needed. Aspirin should be avoided because it interferes with normal blood clotting.

following the healthcare provider's instructions about rest and vigorous activity

avoiding alcohol for at least 2 days after the head injury

reporting any new or worsening symptoms to the healthcare provider

Serious head injuries may require rehabilitation by a team of doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and psychologists.

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