You might have visited our website because you have read or heard about the phrases "head injury" and "brain injury". Perhaps you have been personally affected by an injury, or are seeking information on behalf of someone close to you.
What is meant by these terms, and where can you get more information?
Head injury and brain injury can occur at any time, and can result from lots of different reasons, such as a road accident, a fall or being hit about the head in an assault.
What is a head injury?
A head injury is simply any injury to the head. It could be as minor as a bump or cut on your face, even a black eye, or as complex and damaging as an injury which affects and damages your brain. You could make a complete recovery from a head injury, or in the case of severe injuries the effects may be long lasting.
Sometimes the phrase "head injury" is used to describe a brain injury (see below) and the words are often swapped around as if they mean the same thing. However, just because somebody has suffered a head injury does not necessarily mean that the injury is serious or that there has been injury to be brain.
If you are diagnosed with a head injury and are confused about what that might mean, it is best to ask for guidance and an explanation from someone who is in a position to help, such as your doctor or a therapist who knows about your injuries.
What is a brain injury?
A brain injury involves some kind of damage to the brain itself, which can sometimes lead to changes in your memory and concentration, difficulties with planning and organising yourself, headaches, personality change and fatigue. A severe brain injury can result in more serious physical problems (for example with balance or walking) and deficits with memory, planning and attention that may require intensive, long term rehabilitation. Brain injury can also lead to problems with communication. Everyone is different, and reacts differently to injuries and so people can be affected in many ways.
Brain injury can result in permanent change, but there are many ways to overcome the effects of brain injury and learn to live with them. Many people with brain injury live long and rewarding lives despite any problems that they might continue to have.
What information and help is available?
On theheadinjurysite.com we use the phrase "head and brain injury" because we understand that sometimes both descriptions are used to mean the same thing! We aim to provide information about any injuries which may have caused changes to the brain, including more serious head injuries.
Please visit our resource centre which gives more helpful details and information about where you can find further help and support.