Suggest Treatment For Cluster Headache Post Mild Head Injury

Posted on Tue, 3 Feb 2015

Question: Hello,
yesterday I hit my head while standing up accidently beneath a floating shelf. The site of the initial injury was roughly 2-3 cms behind the hairline above the left eye. I instantly fell to the floor in sheer pain.
This morning I woke up with what felt a cluster headache type pain above my left eye - best described as the feeling of a serrated knife being twisted roughly 3 - 4 cms above the left eye. I slept in for a couple of hours and it seemed to dissipate. I then went to the shops briefly and back and I feel quite dizzy and nauseous and a tad light headed. Any suggestions would be great. Thank you kindly.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There might have been a concussion injury

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in.

I have read through your query in detail.
Regularly I come across patients with mild head injury like the on you have. While the injury mentioned by you seems to be a trivial one, the symptoms experienced by you might vary.

Right now you can try applying ice packs and taking oral pain relievers to feel comfortable.

You might have had a concussion, mildest form of brain injury. Concussions usually do not manifest into anything serious, however subtle symptoms like brain fog may persist for days to weeks. This happens due to minor injury to nerves and is not visible on imaging. Rarely there can be emotional changes and irritability seen even after concussions.

Head injuries need to be observed for the first 24 hours. The following are alarming symptoms (within first 24 hours) of a head injury that needs a doctors attention.

1. Vomiting
2. Seizures
3. Persisting neurological deficits (numbness is a neurological deficit)
4. Difficulty in maintaining gait
5. Vision problems
6. Increasing severity of headache

If any of the above symptoms have occurred and are present even after 24 hours then you need to see a doctor and get a CT scan brain done. If she is experiencing dizziness and nausea which is not subsiding even after 3 days, you may visit the ER.

Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (13 minutes later)

Thank you very much for your response - I am a nurse by trade and so was very hesitant on using this service when it popped up on a website I was looking at. I am on a few different medications but none of which would or should cause anything like this. I am definitely dizzy - I even walked straight into the bin when I got home from the shops!
I run a personal training business which i have run for 9 years so otherwise I am fit and healthy.
I will monitor for the above symptoms.
Thank you very much for your prompt response :)

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Wish you good health

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

Hopefully you should get back to normal in a day or two. However please observe precautions when alone and keep your friends informed if there is a requirement for help.

Wishing you good health.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

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