Did you just fall and hit your head on the floor? The injury may appear minor from the outside but, deep down, there might be ongoing serious issues you don’t know about. Head injuries should never be taken lightly. They need checking, and may even require a CT scan.
In this blog, we explain why a CT scan may be important after a head injury and why not wait to consult a physician.
What You Don’t Know About a CT Scan
A CT scan is an abbreviation of Computed Tomography. This is an imaging test that utilizes X-rays along with computed technology to create in-depth and cross-sectional images of your skull and the brain.
Unlike conventional X-rays, it takes cross-sectional images of a skull in different angles that not only show the bones, but the blood vessels and soft tissues clearly. A CT scan is painless and only takes a few minutes to work.
It is one of the most important diagnostic tools in medical emergencies for evaluating internal injuries, especially after traumas.
Why Do Doctors Order CT Scans
The following reasons make CT important, especially after head injuries:
To Spot Hidden Bleeding
A head injury, whether large or small, may cause internal bleeding. Sometimes this bleeding does not pass through the openings of the body and accumulates inside the skull. This leads to severe pressure buildup and causes more harm.
To Detect Skull Fracture
Skull fractures are very dangerous, especially for your brain tissue. Whether it’s a minor crack or a big distortion in the skull bone, a CT scan can identify whether the fracture needs surgery.
To Locate Swellings
The brain tissue is very sensitive and may swell up (edema) after a head injury. The swelling in your brain can restrict blood flow and damage brain cells. Therefore, a CT scan becomes relatively necessary for the identification of swelling.
For Treatment Planning
The major use of a CT scan after head trauma is in the treatment planning. It aids specialists to decide whether the patient requires immediate surgery, medication, or just simple monitoring.
What Must You Do Next?
If you have experienced a head injury, and the doctor recommends a CT scan, act upon it immediately. Delay may cause complications like bleeding or increased swelling.
The Last Message
A CT scan after experiencing a head injury is a very critical step in your brain’s health. If you have experienced a head injury and require a CT scan, we at Emergency Hospital Systems can help. We provide diagnostic services including treatments for emergency conditions. Contact us (281) 529-5400 today.