What causes vomiting in children after minor head injury?

What causes vomiting in children after minor head injury?

As part of growing up, children often fall and hurt themselves. As they are just learning to walk and hold themselves up, bangs and bumps happen often to little children. Generally, children under the age of four tend to fall and bang their heads and get hurt. As a result, they may acquire a bump which sometimes heals on its own without any medical intervention. But sometimes, head injuries can result in serious damage to the brain.

What is a minor head injury in children?

A head injury could be anything that causes a knock on the head and causes a lump, bruise, or cut. Sometimes it can be even more serious. A head injury can be mild, moderate, or severe.

An injury could include:

Concussion: An injury to the head that causes the brain to not function normally for a short period. The person may lose awareness or alertness for a few minutes or hours.

Contusion: A bruise on the brain that causes bleeding and swelling inside the brain at the point where the head was struck. This is normally caused by a violent blow which causes jarring of the brain against the sides of the skull resulting in the tearing of the internal lining, tissues, and blood vessels.

Skull fracture: There are various types of skull fracture. It could just be a break in the bone that doesn’t move the bone. It could be that the skull is sunken where the bone is broken. Sometimes the fracture occurs along the suture lines in the skull. Many times, it is a break in the bone at the base of the skull.

Common causes of vomiting after a minor head injury

After a traumatic brain injury, one of the most common effects is vomiting. It could be mild isolated episodes or severe persistent nausea and vomiting. There are many causes for vomiting after a head injury:

• The release of Neurotransmitters that trigger the vomiting centre causes vomiting.
• Vestibular dysfunction: When the cerebellum or inner ear gets injured, it can cause balance and dizziness problems. These can trigger vomiting.
•  Skull fracture: A skull fracture causes extreme pain which leads to vomiting
•  Intracranial hematoma: This is a dangerous collection of blood inside the skull.

Vomiting can last for days or weeks after a head injury. The frequency decreases as time passes. If the vomiting is persistent and the person is unable to keep any food or liquids down, it is important to see a doctor immediately.

When to worry and seek medical help?

Parents of a child who has had a head injury must watch the child carefully for signs of a worsening situation. A parent should call the paediatrician or take the child to emergency care if the child develops any of the following:

• Vomiting four to six hours after the injury
• Develops a headache that is worsening
• Is drowsy and difficult to awaken
• Is confused and does not act normal
• Has a problem with walking, talking, or seeing
• Has a stiff neck
• Develops a stiff neck
• Has a seizure (like a convulsion) or you see any other worrisome behaviour
• Keeps crying and looks sick
• Has weakness or numbness in any body part

Home care for children with vomiting after a head injury

Watch your child carefully at home. There are a few things that you can do to help your child. Ensure that a responsible adult cares for the child at least for 48 hours after the head injury.

What to eat: If they are nauseous and vomiting, give them clear liquids such as juice. They may not feel like eating or drinking anything but it is important to stay hydrated. It is important to sip on fluids. You can try mint tea, lemonade, ginger ale or water. Chewing ginger root is an effective way to reduce nausea.

Deep breaths: Taking deep breaths activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This will reduce the biological response that triggers vomiting and nausea. Deep breathing can calm anxiety and reduce nausea. For a deep breath, breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds and exhale for 4 seconds. Repeat it several times.

Aromatherapy: Certain aromas can reduce nausea and vomiting after a head injury. Add essential oil to a diffuser and try breathing over it. You can use the flavours of lemon, clove, chamomile, peppermint and rose.

Conclusion

There is no way we can stop our children from getting head injuries. Bumps and bruises will always be a part of growing up. A simple bump may not be something that you need to worry about but serious injuries must be attended to immediately. It is important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of severe head injuries in children. Vomiting can be a cause for worry and persistent vomiting must be attended to immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What causes vomiting in children after a head injury?

A common effect after a brain injury is vomiting. Vomiting lasts for days or weeks after the injury and reduces in frequency as time passes.

2. What is a minor head injury in children?

A head injury could be anything that causes a knock on the head and causes a lump, bruise or cut. Sometimes it can be even more serious. A head injury can be mild, moderate, or severe.

3. How to care for a child who is vomiting after a minor head injury?

Ensure that they stay hydrated and give them clear liquids. Vomiting can dehydrate people, so this is important.

4. When should we see a doctor if a child is vomiting after a head injury?

It is important to watch a child carefully after a head injury. If they continue vomiting four to six hours after the injury, develop a headache, get drowsy or are unable to walk, talk or see, then go to a doctor immediately.

5. How can we prevent head injuries?

It is quite impossible to prevent injuries. Especially children who are learning to walk or hurt themselves while playing. It is important to take precautions and ensure their safety in whatever way possible.