When you're discharged from hospital, your doctor will give you advice to help your recovery at home.
Your recovery programme will depend on the exact nature of your injury and your individual needs.
Your recovery programme will depend on the exact nature of your injury and your individual needs.
Advice for adults
If you're recovering from a severe head injury you may be advised to:
have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours and keep within easy reach of a phone in case any problems arise and you need medical help
get plenty of rest and avoid stressful situations
avoid drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs
avoid taking sleeping pills, sedatives or tranquilizers (unless prescribed by your doctor)
take paracetamol if you have a headache, but avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin (unless prescribed by a doctor)
avoid playing contact sports, such as football or rugby, for at least three weeks, and speak to your doctor before starting to play these sports again
not return to work or school until you've completely recovered and feel well enough to do so
not drive a car or motorbike, ride a bicycle or operate machinery until you feel completely recovered and it's safe and legal to do so
Advice for children
If your child is recovering from a severe head injury you may be advised to:
give them paracetamol if they have a headache, but avoid NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin (aspirin should never be given to children under 16 years of age)
only give them light meals for the first day or two
avoid getting them too excited
avoid having too many visitors when they return home
not let them play contact sports until a doctor advises that it's safe to do so
not let them play roughly for a few days
If your child is recovering from a severe head injury you may be advised to:
give them paracetamol if they have a headache, but avoid NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin (aspirin should never be given to children under 16 years of age)
only give them light meals for the first day or two
avoid getting them too excited
avoid having too many visitors when they return home
not let them play contact sports until a doctor advises that it's safe to do so
not let them play roughly for a few days
Follow-up appointments and rehabilitation
You should see your GP the week after being discharged from hospital so they can check how you're coping after your head injury.
You may also need to attend one or more hospital appointments. These will usually be with a specialist, such as a neurologist (an expert in the brain and nervous system). They'll check on the progress of your recovery.
The speed at which you recover from a severe head injury will depend entirely on the severity and nature of your injury, as well as your individual needs and your general health. Don't rush your recovery. It may take several months, or sometimes years, before you feel fully recovered.
After a head injury, a number of different healthcare professionals may help with your recovery. The treatment you receive will depend on how your head injury has affected you. Some of the treatments and the healthcare professionals you may see are discussed below.
You should see your GP the week after being discharged from hospital so they can check how you're coping after your head injury.
You may also need to attend one or more hospital appointments. These will usually be with a specialist, such as a neurologist (an expert in the brain and nervous system). They'll check on the progress of your recovery.
The speed at which you recover from a severe head injury will depend entirely on the severity and nature of your injury, as well as your individual needs and your general health. Don't rush your recovery. It may take several months, or sometimes years, before you feel fully recovered.
After a head injury, a number of different healthcare professionals may help with your recovery. The treatment you receive will depend on how your head injury has affected you. Some of the treatments and the healthcare professionals you may see are discussed below.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy helps restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability.
If you experience physical problems after your injury, such as weakness, stiffness or poor co-ordination, you may be referred to a physiotherapist.
A physiotherapist uses a variety of treatment techniques, such as massage, exercise and hydrotherapy (special exercises in warm, shallow water) to help you recover physically.
Occupational therapy
The aim of occupational therapy is to help you live as independently as possible.
After a head injury, you may struggle with everyday tasks and activities, either at work or home. An occupational therapist can provide practical support to make those tasks easier.
Speech therapy
A head injury can sometimes affect your speech and you may struggle to communicate in the same way you did before the injury. A speech therapist will help you regain your communication skills.
Psychotherapy and CBT
After a severe head injury, you may have problems adjusting back to everyday life.
Psychotherapy is a type of therapy where you talk about your thoughts and feelings with a trained mental health professional.
They'll help you talk through your worries and problems so that you can better understand and deal with your thoughts and feelings.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is another type of talking therapy that may be recommended. CBT helps change the way you think about things so that you deal with problems more positively and effectively.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is a medical field concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are medically qualified doctors who have chosen to specialise in psychiatry. This means they can prescribe medication as well as recommending other forms of treatment.
Driving after a head injury
If you have a serious head injury it may affect your ability to drive. You're legally required to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and your insurance company.
You won't be able to drive until you receive DVLA approval and your doctor has confirmed you've made a full recovery.
If you have a serious head injury it may affect your ability to drive. You're legally required to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and your insurance company.
You won't be able to drive until you receive DVLA approval and your doctor has confirmed you've made a full recovery.
tags: Severe head injury - Recovery, Severe head injury, head injury, injury, head, Recovery, Advice for adults, Advice for children, Follow-up appointments and rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Speech therapy, Psychotherapy and CBT, Psychiatry, Driving after a head injury, When you're discharged from hospital, your doctor will give you advice to help your recovery at home.
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