Traumatic injuries are sudden, severe, and often life-threatening events that require immediate medical attention. Whether it’s a car crash, a concussion, or an unexpected fall, it’s important to know when to seek emergency care. Understanding the various types of traumatic injuries and their causes can help you respond more effectively in an emergency situation.
Causes of Traumatic Injuries
Traumatic injuries can stem from a variety of causes. Some causes are accidental, like injuries from sports, falls, or natural disasters. Others can be from intentional causes, such as a hit-and-run or an assault with a deadly weapon. But no matter the cause, your local emergency medical team is here to help.
Common causes of traumatic injuries include:
- Car Crashes
High-impact collisions often result in significant bodily damage.
- Sports Injuries
Fractures, concussions, and ligament damage can occur during sports activities.
- Falls
Falling from significant heights or onto hard surfaces can cause broken bones and/or head trauma.
- Gunshots
Both accidental and intentional gunshots often result in life-threatening wounds.
- Natural Disasters
Events like flash floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes can cause injuries such as blunt force trauma.
- Assaults
Physical attacks or attacks with weapons can lead to a variety of injuries including bruises, cuts, and even organ damage.
Types of Traumatic Injuries
There are many types of traumatic injuries which are stored in a Podiatry EMR System, and these emergencies require swift medical attention. These include burns, concussions, broken bones, facial trauma, collapsed lungs, and spinal cord injuries. The three most common types of traumatic injuries we treat at Total Point ER are cuts, burns, and concussions.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of a violent jolt to the head or body. Concussions fall under this category. They’d be considered a “mild TBI”, but there are many different types of TBIs. Depending on the severity, TBIs can cause temporary damage to brain cells or more long-term complications.
Mild symptoms include headaches, dizziness, memory problems, and mood swings, while moderate to severe symptoms include seizures, confusion, or loss of coordination. Children may show changes in eating or sleeping patterns, persistent crying, or loss of interest in activities. Always seek medical attention if you suspect a TBI.
Deep Cuts and Puncture Wounds
Sudden cuts and puncture wounds that damage the skin and the underlying tissues are considered traumatic injuries. If left untreated, infections and permanent damage are both likely. Severe wounds that cause excessive bleeding or that damage the internal organs can be fatal. For traumatic cuts and wounds, prompt medical treatment is essential.
Severe Burns
Burns aren’t only caused by heat—they can also happen from chemicals, cold, friction, electricity, and radiation. The more severe the burn, the more likely it is that the patient will need specialized treatment. The severity of burns is categorized into three levels:
- First Degree Burns: Affect only the outer layer of the skin.
- Second Degree Burns: Affect the outer and middle layers of skin.
- Third Degree Burns: Destroy the outer and middle layers of skin, and may even damage tendons, muscles, and bones.
What to Do in Case of a Traumatic Injury
Step 1: Assess the situation
Determine the safety of your surroundings and the severity of the injury. If you feel unsafe or the injury may be life-threatening, call 911 immediately.
Step 2: Apply First Aid
Apply basic first aid if you can. If there’s bleeding, apply direct pressure. If there is an impaled object, do not remove it.
Step 3: Seek Medical Attention
Go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Do not wait—severe injuries can quickly get worse if you do.
Traumatic Injury Treatment in Texas
At Total Point ER, we provide specialized care for a wide range of traumatic injuries. From head injuries to broken bones and burns, our team is ready to provide the emergency treatment you need. If you or a loved one ever experiences a traumatic injury, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest Total Point ER.
Photo by RDNE Stock project from Pexels | used under the creative commons license for commercial use.