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Most of the time, a small bump on the head is nothing to worry about. But that doesn’t mean a parent, spouse or other family member shouldn’t keep an eye on the person with the headache.
“Head injuries can be serious, even though on the outside there may not be much visible evidence of an injury,” says Charles Emerman, MD, chair of MetroHealth’s Emergency Department. “And symptoms of a serious injury may not appear immediately.”
Dr. Emerman says patients who’ve suffered a head injury should visit the Emergency Department immediately if they:
In addition, in the hours and days after a head injury, a patient needs to visit the Emergency Department as soon as possible if they:
“If there’s ever a doubt, go to the emergency department,” advises Dr. Emerman. “A trip to the hospital can help ease your mind and avoid complications later on.”