“Head injury?”
On Monday I was at a park and ran into a metal rod connected to the slide on a playground after I went to help one of my students. I did not see this area hence how I bumped into it at a fairly quick speed. I fell back since the blow was both painful and surprising. I hit myself on the forehead but towards the left side. I have a small bump (not very noticeable ar all) and no real bruising, it’s painful to touch and painful when I move my eyebrows or facial expressions in that region. When I hit myself I wasn’t dizzy nor lightheaded and I didn’t feel any nausea, I could walk and run back to where the rest of my students were. I remembered everything prior and after the event and haven’t had any issues with my memory or sense of awareness. I feel fatigue, pressure and slight pain around my ears, sinuses, jaw and neck. I mainly have pressure around and within my left eye (however whenever I experience migraines prior to this and often, it is usually concentrates on the left eye). I also have knee pain and arm pain all within the left side of my body, however I experience this often/before but it sort of came back with this. I actually have not experienced any headache since, but mainly just feel pressure all around my head. When i went back out today, I felt a lot of pain whenever the wind was blowing around my head, mainly my ears and sinuses. It kind of feels like a throbbing “pain” but not consistent throbbing. The hit was not insane or shocking to those who saw it, I’ve seen my students go through worse, but I have horrible health anxiety and worry now about concussion, brain bleeding, or brain damage.
Female | 22 years old
Complaint duration: 2 days
Medications: None
Conditions: None
2 Answers
Serious brain injury is unlikely if you did not lose consciousness. Repetitive blows to the head can have a cumulative effect. If your are not a boxer or professional football player or victim of repetitive physical violence, you should be OK.
It's understandable that you're concerned about a head injury, especially given your symptoms and health anxiety. Here are some things to consider:
1. **Concussion Signs and Symptoms**: A concussion can occur even without loss of consciousness. Common signs and symptoms include headache, confusion, memory problems, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, and changes in mood or behavior. You mentioned some discomfort and pressure, but you didn't describe typical concussion symptoms like confusion or memory issues. However, every person's experience can be different.
2. **Delayed Symptoms**: Sometimes, symptoms of a head injury can develop or worsen in the hours or days following the injury. It's essential to monitor your symptoms closely, especially in the first 24 to 48 hours after the incident.
3. **Pressure and Pain**: The pressure and pain you're experiencing around your head, sinuses, and ears could be related to the impact. It's possible that the injury caused some soft tissue swelling or inflammation in the area.
4. **Other Pains**: The knee and arm pain you mentioned may or may not be related to the head injury. It's worth considering if you might have exacerbated existing issues due to the fall.
5. **Health Anxiety**: It's important to acknowledge that health anxiety can amplify your perception of symptoms and distress. Try to remain as calm as possible, and remember that your anxiety may contribute to your symptoms.
6. **Seek Medical Evaluation**: Given your concerns and the persistence of some symptoms, it's advisable to seek medical evaluation. A healthcare provider can perform a physical examination, assess your neurological status, and, if necessary, recommend imaging (like a CT scan) to rule out any structural issues or bleeding in the brain. It's better to err on the side of caution when it comes to head injuries.
7. **Rest and Hydration**: In the meantime, get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and avoid activities that could worsen your symptoms or increase the risk of another injury.
Remember that only a healthcare professional can provide a definitive assessment of your condition. Please reach out to a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and concerns. They can provide appropriate guidance based on your specific situation and provide reassurance if no serious injury is found.
1. **Concussion Signs and Symptoms**: A concussion can occur even without loss of consciousness. Common signs and symptoms include headache, confusion, memory problems, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, and changes in mood or behavior. You mentioned some discomfort and pressure, but you didn't describe typical concussion symptoms like confusion or memory issues. However, every person's experience can be different.
2. **Delayed Symptoms**: Sometimes, symptoms of a head injury can develop or worsen in the hours or days following the injury. It's essential to monitor your symptoms closely, especially in the first 24 to 48 hours after the incident.
3. **Pressure and Pain**: The pressure and pain you're experiencing around your head, sinuses, and ears could be related to the impact. It's possible that the injury caused some soft tissue swelling or inflammation in the area.
4. **Other Pains**: The knee and arm pain you mentioned may or may not be related to the head injury. It's worth considering if you might have exacerbated existing issues due to the fall.
5. **Health Anxiety**: It's important to acknowledge that health anxiety can amplify your perception of symptoms and distress. Try to remain as calm as possible, and remember that your anxiety may contribute to your symptoms.
6. **Seek Medical Evaluation**: Given your concerns and the persistence of some symptoms, it's advisable to seek medical evaluation. A healthcare provider can perform a physical examination, assess your neurological status, and, if necessary, recommend imaging (like a CT scan) to rule out any structural issues or bleeding in the brain. It's better to err on the side of caution when it comes to head injuries.
7. **Rest and Hydration**: In the meantime, get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and avoid activities that could worsen your symptoms or increase the risk of another injury.
Remember that only a healthcare professional can provide a definitive assessment of your condition. Please reach out to a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and concerns. They can provide appropriate guidance based on your specific situation and provide reassurance if no serious injury is found.
