Compare and contrast the two major types of head injuries. What are the long-term implications of head injuries in terms of functioning?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Head injuries are of two types. In closed-head injuries, the skull remains intact, but there is damage to the brain, typically from the mechanical force of a blow to the head. Slamming one's head against a windshield in a car accident might result in such an injury. In open-head injuries, the skull does not remain intact but rather is penetrated, for example, by a bullet.

Damage resulting from head injury can include spastic movements, difficulty in swallowing, and slurring of speech, as well as many other cognitive and behavioral problems. Cognitive symptoms can vary widely, depending on the area of the brain that is affected. Patients may experience concentration problems, may have difficulty understanding others or speaking and putting their own thoughts in words, may find it hard to understand abstract concepts, or may have trouble remembering things.