An intracranial hematoma occurs when a blood vessel - either an artery or a vein - ruptures between your skull and your brain. Blood then leaks between your brain and your skull. Although head injuries can be minor, an intracranial hematoma is a serious and possibly life-threatening condition often requiring immediate treatment.

Your brain floats within your skull and is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions it from the light bounces of everyday movement. But the fluid may not be able to absorb the force of a sudden blow or a quick stop. In these situations, your brain may slide forcefully against the inner wall of your skull and become bruised.

An intracranial hematoma occurs when a blood vessel - either an artery or a vein - ruptures between your skull and your brain. Blood then leaks between your brain and your skull. The collection of blood (hematoma), possibly clotted, compresses brain tissue.

Treating hematomas usually requires surgery to remove the blood. However, smaller hematomas may not require removal of the blood.

Coping skills

Patience is the key to coping with brain injuries. In adults, most recovery occurs within the first six months, and smaller improvements can occur for two years. An incomplete recovery after that time is usually because of brain damage. Children fare better. They have immediate major recovery, which spreads their smaller improvements over a longer period.

The following tips may help make for a smoother recovery:

• Get plenty of sleep at night and rest during the day.

• Return to normal activities gradually, not all at once.

• Avoid activities that could result in a second head injury, such as contact and recreational sports, until a doctor says you're well enough to take part in these activities.

• Ask a doctor about when you can return to sports, drive a car, ride a bicycle, and operate other equipment or machinery. Your ability to react to stimuli may be impaired.

• Take only those drugs your doctor has approved.

• Don't drink alcohol until you've recovered fully. Alcohol may hinder recovery and can put you at risk of further injury.

• Write down things that you find hard to remember.

• Talk with family or close friends before making important decisions.