Can You See a Concussion on a Ct Scan

CT Scans for Adults with Caput Injuries: When you lot demand one and when you don't.

A blow to the head or a astringent twist to your neck can be scary. Usually, the injury is non severe, although sometimes at that place can be a brain injury such as concussion, bleeding on the brain, or cracks to the skull.

Head and neck injuries are a common reason for visiting the emergency department. It is of import for the health intendance provider to examine you for a possible concussion or another injury. The wellness care provider may order a CT (computerized tomography) scan of the brain to make sure you exercise non have a fractured skull or a serious brain injury. Merely near of the time these scans are non needed. Here's why:

Ofttimes, CT scans aren't necessary.

CT scans can prove if there is swelling or haemorrhage in the encephalon or a fracture in the skull. If you have signs of a serious injury, a CT scan is usually the best first exam to diagnose it. Your health care provider will await for specific signs of a more serious problem. These include:

• Weakness on 1 side of your confront or torso
• Trouble speaking, hearing, or swallowing
• Reduced vision
• Seizures
• Repeated vomiting
• Severe headache
• One pupil larger than the other
• Fluid or blood from an ear or nose
• Tenderness over the skull
• Beingness on a blood thinner

Health intendance providers follow guidelines that recommend performing CT scans only for patients who are at higher adventure for skull fractures or bleeding in the brain. Most people with head injuries do not have either of these issues, and simple concussions do not show up on a CT scan.

If you practice not accept any of these signs, research shows your risk of a serious injury needing surgery or leading to serious complications is less than one in 7000, and a CT scan is unlikely to be helpful.

A thorough examination past a health care provider is the nearly important step to rule out a serious injury. Your health intendance provider will examine you for a possible concussion or more serious injuries. If you are able to walk and talk ordinarily, the chance of you lot having a serious injury needing surgery or special treatment is very low.

CT scans expose you to radiation.

A CT scan uses X-rays to create images of the brain and skull. X-rays are a course of radiation which increases the take a chance of cancer over your lifetime. Risks from radiation exposure add up, and so it is best to avert unnecessary radiations when possible.

Caput injuries take time to go better.

You may go on to have some mild symptoms over the next several days or weeks, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, feeling unsteady, sensitivity to light or loud noises, or difficulties with memory or concentration. These symptoms commonly improve with time.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should immediately get to an emergency department:

• A headache that gets significantly worse
• Extreme drowsiness, cannot exist woken
• Difficult recognizing people or places
• Repeated vomiting
• Unusual behaviour or farthermost irritability
• Seizures of the arms or legs (uncontrollable jerking)
• Weak or numb arms or legs on one side of the torso
• Impaired rest or spoken language

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How can I assistance myself get amend?

Take it easy.

• Residual until your symptoms improve.
• Avert strenuous physical action, especially sports, intense practise, and other heavy work.
• Be conscientious not to injure your head once more.
• If your symptoms get worse with a detail activity, so you should avert information technology.
• Graduated return-to-work guidelines be that help people recover from a head injury.
• Inquire your health intendance provider when you can return to your normal activities.

Drinkable plenty fluids and avoid alcohol. Staying well-hydrated and avoiding alcohol may help you recover more chop-chop.

Don't stress your brain. Avoid activities that are emotionally and mentally enervating until your symptoms improve, such every bit studying, reading, playing video games or watching television receiver.

Inquire your health care provider about medicine. Yous can take pain medication as instructed by your health intendance provider, such every bit acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).

If your symptoms continue for the next several weeks simply are not getting worse, you should follow upward with your wellness intendance provider.

Acknowledgement: This patient pamphlet was created in collaboration with Consumer Reports, Choosing Wisely Alberta and Alberta's Emergency Strategic Clinical Network.

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Source: https://choosingwiselycanada.org/ct-scans-for-adults-with-head-injuries/

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