Patient/caregiver was educated on complications of head injury as follows:
- Poor motor abilities: Injury to the brain from head injury can affect portions of brain controlling gait and balance. This can result in weakness, gait instability, and increased risk for falls & accidents. In severe cases, depending on the site of brain injury, individuals can end up presenting with paralysis of various parts of the body.
- Poor bowel and bladder control: Injury to the brain from head injury can affect portions of brain controlling bladder and bowel function. This can contribute to reduced bowel & bladder control with increased risk for bowel & bladder incontinence.
- Poor control of blood pressure and respirations: Inflammation and swelling of the brain from head injury can increase the net weight of the brain. The heavier brain can exert more pressure on the vital centers located at the base of brain controlling blood pressure and respirations, thus compromising their function. This can lead to poorly controlled BP and shallow breathing. In severe cases, this can also lead to respiratory arrest and death.
