In response to the trauma, changes occur in the brain which require monitoring to prevent further damage. The brain’s size frequently increases after a severe head injury. This is called brain swelling and occurs when there is an increase in the amount of blood to the brain.
Later in the illness, water may collect in the brain which is called Brain Edema. Both Brain Swelling and Brain Edema result in excessive pressure in the brain called Intracranial Pressure (“ICP”). Around-the-clock monitoring during this time is essential in order that Intracranial Pressure can be immediately treated.
Treatment of brain swelling can be difficult. Very strong medications are administered and in some cases, removal of small amounts of fluids from the brain or surgery may be beneficial.
The concussions that disable, are almost always more symptomatic at 24 hours, than at the 2-4 hour time frame when injured persons are evaluated in the emergency room. Brain injury symptoms escalate over the first 24 hours, because brain injury involves a cascade of events. It is critical that if you are still symptomatic the day after your injury, go back to the same Emergency Room, don’t wait for a doctors appointment. It is critical that the Emergency Room personnel see that the symptoms still persist or have gotten worse.