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What Causes Loss Of Consciousness And Temporal Headache After Head Injury?
Question: Even though I feel foolish, I am going to ask about this instead of fretting. Wednesday am, after bathing, I was standing at the tub applying lotion to my legs. I had one foot on the tub when somehow I lost my balance and went sliding into the fiberglass tub. I struck the left temporal parietal area of my head on o wall tile. I got up immediately with no loss of consciousness of obvious injury. It happened so fast. It shook me up that it happened. I am a retired ER nurse, and have been watching myself for any signs of head injury. I just have a vague temporal headache, no other symptoms. I was shocked that I was not all bruised up. I had been on Plavix after a heart attack XXXXXXX 2015, but it was D/C'd in May 5th. I have been to the doctor so many times since the heart attack that I feel like a hypochondriac. How long do I need to watch for signs of head injury after a fall 2 days ago?
Brief Answer:
Head injury approach
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. It is good that for last 2 days you are conscious, oriented and moving normally. Now I will explain you head injury and how to manage it.
There are two types of head injury. Mild and severe type.
In mild injury, the person remains conscious, no vomiting, mild headcahe which responds to painkillers and time, no fits/focal deficit or bleed through ear/nose/throat, no altered behaviour. Your history is suggestive of mild head injury. It is good for you.
Now regarding observation, in any head injury, first 72 hours are considered critical. Patient may deteriorate in 72 hours. If no deterioration, usually no problem occurs later.
In severe injury, a person may have any of above sign. In such case, immediate rush to hospital or ER.
My advise to you, you can observe yourself for one more day and then start working normally.
Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Head injury approach
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. It is good that for last 2 days you are conscious, oriented and moving normally. Now I will explain you head injury and how to manage it.
There are two types of head injury. Mild and severe type.
In mild injury, the person remains conscious, no vomiting, mild headcahe which responds to painkillers and time, no fits/focal deficit or bleed through ear/nose/throat, no altered behaviour. Your history is suggestive of mild head injury. It is good for you.
Now regarding observation, in any head injury, first 72 hours are considered critical. Patient may deteriorate in 72 hours. If no deterioration, usually no problem occurs later.
In severe injury, a person may have any of above sign. In such case, immediate rush to hospital or ER.
My advise to you, you can observe yourself for one more day and then start working normally.
Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
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