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Is Nasal Congestion After A Head Injury A Cause For Concern?
Question: My 24 yr old daughter stood up and jammed her head on the underside of open freezer door early this mirning(aug 5) and she reports she didn't black out or feel dizzy or even experience a cut or swelling. She also doesn't report fluid dripping from her nose or ear She is worried that the slight post nasal or slight stuffy moist nose may be evidence of leaking spinal fluid. Please please advise tonight.
Brief Answer:
No worries, the stuffy nose does not seem to be due to the injury
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern. I would say that the stuffy nose she is having does not seem to be related to the jammed had she had today and there is nothing to worry about it as long as she has no neurological signs, no nausea or vomiting, no neurological signs and is well oriented and interacting normally.
Generally the fractures that cause the nose leaking (cerebrospinal fluid leaking) are due to fractures of basis crani that is in fact the base of the skull, the anterior area of it.
To have a fracture of the skull, a huge trauma is needed, generally this can happen from falling from heights, car accidents, being hit with heavy, high speed flying objects, etc, and does not seem possible with minor trauma (getting hurt while you stand or if you fall from your height, is considered minor trauma).
The fact that your daughter does not have any signs of serious head trauma like no black out, no dizziness, and no neurological signs, this also confirms that no serious damage has happened.
I would say not to worry and that it seems your daughter is safe. If she develops any of the signs or symptoms mentioned above (nausea or vomiting, neurological signs with numbness or weakness of an extremity, problems with vision or speech or swallowing, headache that worsens, disoriented) than she needs to see a doctor. With direct trauma on the upper areas of skull it is the upper area of the skull that might be affected and hemorrage from an artery (arteria meningea media) that runs under there is a risk (but in her case it is unlikely with the amount of trauma explained).
So to conclude:
1. It doesn't seem the stuffy nose is related to the injury
2. be at peace and just observe here
3. if she develops any of the above symptoms please send her to the doctor (this is very unlikely that will happen though)
I hope this is helpful and answers to your questions but please feel free to reply if anymore clarification is needed on this.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
No worries, the stuffy nose does not seem to be due to the injury
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern. I would say that the stuffy nose she is having does not seem to be related to the jammed had she had today and there is nothing to worry about it as long as she has no neurological signs, no nausea or vomiting, no neurological signs and is well oriented and interacting normally.
Generally the fractures that cause the nose leaking (cerebrospinal fluid leaking) are due to fractures of basis crani that is in fact the base of the skull, the anterior area of it.
To have a fracture of the skull, a huge trauma is needed, generally this can happen from falling from heights, car accidents, being hit with heavy, high speed flying objects, etc, and does not seem possible with minor trauma (getting hurt while you stand or if you fall from your height, is considered minor trauma).
The fact that your daughter does not have any signs of serious head trauma like no black out, no dizziness, and no neurological signs, this also confirms that no serious damage has happened.
I would say not to worry and that it seems your daughter is safe. If she develops any of the signs or symptoms mentioned above (nausea or vomiting, neurological signs with numbness or weakness of an extremity, problems with vision or speech or swallowing, headache that worsens, disoriented) than she needs to see a doctor. With direct trauma on the upper areas of skull it is the upper area of the skull that might be affected and hemorrage from an artery (arteria meningea media) that runs under there is a risk (but in her case it is unlikely with the amount of trauma explained).
So to conclude:
1. It doesn't seem the stuffy nose is related to the injury
2. be at peace and just observe here
3. if she develops any of the above symptoms please send her to the doctor (this is very unlikely that will happen though)
I hope this is helpful and answers to your questions but please feel free to reply if anymore clarification is needed on this.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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