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Suggest Ways To Rule Out A Concussion Post An Accident

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Posted on Wed, 21 Sep 2016
Question: Hi! Yesterday i was sitting bed reading and as i was reading i fell asleep and my head was doing the normal jerking movements as i was sleeping and then i woke up bc my head hit the back of my bed- the metal bar. It wasnt very hard and the bar was thin and it was just the back left side of my head. Its a little sore. This cannot cause a concussion correct? I contacted my doctor and he said it cannot cause one as this happens to everyone at some point. Thank you.
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Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Concussion is unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Good morning. I am assuming that by "normal" jerking movements of the head while reading in bed you mean that as you were getting more tired your head would XXXXXXX forward and then, back as you tried to stay awake to finish where you were in the book.

Now, as far as the knock to the head- at first glance it certainly doesn't appear to me that what you describe would be sufficient force to cause a concussion which requires that the brain receive a force through transmission to the skull of such a grade that it should cause you to be dazed, disoriented, or otherwise, confused for at least a few seconds or brief period of time.

If you did not see stars, did not awaken with an unusually bad headache, have nausea or vomiting upon awakening, or feel as if you were in a fog then, I would agree with your doctor to say that you likely DID NOT suffer a concussion from that incident.

As far as "this happens to everyone at some point" is concerned....I'm not sure exactly what the doctor may have meant because I don't think it's true that everybody always hits their head on the back of their beds while falling asleep from reading. But I do think it's true that virtually everybody has had an experience of knocking their head against something hard enough to cause pain or discomfort but not end up having concussions from that action. That statement I would have an easier time believing.

If I were in your position I wouldn't hesitate taking a little acetaminophen/Tylenol or aspirin/Motrin for the head discomfort if it's bothering but from what you're describing I don't think it's necessary to be seen as an emergency or go to a neurologist or any of that stuff.

If I've adequately addressed your concerns could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating to our encounter if you feel my suggestions have helped? Again, many thanks for posing your question.

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 15 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2472 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Rule Out A Concussion Post An Accident

Brief Answer: Concussion is unlikely Detailed Answer: Good morning. I am assuming that by "normal" jerking movements of the head while reading in bed you mean that as you were getting more tired your head would XXXXXXX forward and then, back as you tried to stay awake to finish where you were in the book. Now, as far as the knock to the head- at first glance it certainly doesn't appear to me that what you describe would be sufficient force to cause a concussion which requires that the brain receive a force through transmission to the skull of such a grade that it should cause you to be dazed, disoriented, or otherwise, confused for at least a few seconds or brief period of time. If you did not see stars, did not awaken with an unusually bad headache, have nausea or vomiting upon awakening, or feel as if you were in a fog then, I would agree with your doctor to say that you likely DID NOT suffer a concussion from that incident. As far as "this happens to everyone at some point" is concerned....I'm not sure exactly what the doctor may have meant because I don't think it's true that everybody always hits their head on the back of their beds while falling asleep from reading. But I do think it's true that virtually everybody has had an experience of knocking their head against something hard enough to cause pain or discomfort but not end up having concussions from that action. That statement I would have an easier time believing. If I were in your position I wouldn't hesitate taking a little acetaminophen/Tylenol or aspirin/Motrin for the head discomfort if it's bothering but from what you're describing I don't think it's necessary to be seen as an emergency or go to a neurologist or any of that stuff. If I've adequately addressed your concerns could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating to our encounter if you feel my suggestions have helped? Again, many thanks for posing your question. Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others. This query has utilized a total of 15 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.