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Are Headache And Sleeplessness Post Mild Head Injury In Children A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Wed, 13 May 2015

Question: my daughter fell off of her horse yesterday. She was wearing her helmet and, while she fell under her horse, it didn't appear that she got stepped on. She did not lose consciousness. Last night she started complaining about a headache and, after rest and taking some ibuprofen, she still has a headache. She has not had much sleep in the past week or so (busy high school senior) and it was very hot yesterday at the horse show. I'm thinking I should let her get more rest before I get concerned but keep wondering if I should take her in to see the doctor. She says her head feels like it's under pressure...not sure if it's a really tired and dehydrated girl speaking or something more???

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can wait for now.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted the details of your daughter's fall and the symptoms.

In my opinion, it does not appear to be serious head injury, and you can wait for now.

She needs good rest, hydration and proper sleep. She would improve with that.

Only if she has severe headache, vomiting, double vision, drowsiness/disorientation, etc, she should be taken to the ER, and a CT scan should be done then.

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (46 hours later)

Turns out, I believe her headache (which she still has) is stress related rather than accident related. She really doesn't want to rely on Ibuprofen or Tylenol to keep it in check but, even with adequate rest, she still complains that her head hurts. Other than exercise, drinking plenty of water, rest and eating right, can you advise any other ways to help her manage her stress level? Cutting back on obligations and activities is not really an option for another month and she's facing many decisions as a high school XXXXXXX entering college in the fall that also stress her out.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Amitriptyline would help.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back and providing more information.

For stress related headaches, mainstay of treatment is non-drug therapy, which includes rest, relaxation, meditation, yoga, etc.

In terms of medications, amitriptyline tablets would be helpful.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Thank you, we will continue to pursue the non-drug therapies.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you and best wishes for fast recovery,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar