Brain Injury: When to Go to the Hospital

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Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

Rebecca replied on

Hi I fell down and I hit my head on a door next to me. I lost consciousness for like only a couple seconds and had a shooting pain through the back of my head. I started crying because this NEVER had happened to me before so I freaked out a little. I didn’t get any swelling on my head, but it does feel kinda bruised. My husband checked my blood pressure and said it was normal and I was probably just dehydrated and tired. (I don’t drink a lot of water nor sleep well.) At the moment I’m on vacation so I don’t have the ability to go to my primary care doctor for another month. My husband convinced me that I don’t have to go to the hospital, but I don’t know what to do at the moment to be honest. What should I do in the mean time, put ice on my head?

,Ma replied on

Definitely if you lost consciousness you should go to the doctor. that's a sign of something super serious. rather it may just be a concussion or something else.

Anonymous replied on

I've never had a concussion before in my life even when I was in cheer and soccer but yesterday at work (I work with pizza and I had absolutely no traction on my shoes) I was kinda jogging and made a turn too fast and slammed my head on the floor and landed on my side ever since then I've had a None stop headache and I slept for 12 hours straight and I've felt nauseated, there no bump or bruise then but my husband checked today and there is a soft bump and a little bruising on my head and the side of my arm that I landed on. It feels a little bit better when I take Tylenol but I'm still having headaches and a little dizzy and ive started shaking..

Anonymous replied on

sounds like a hell of a concussion to me

Iris replied on

About 3 days ago I was showering and I accidentally hit the back of my head really hard with the soap holder, I felt everything move inside my head so I quickly kneeled down to rest. I thought I was bleeding but luckily I wasn’t. I’ve had bad headaches ever since, and the sides of my head really hurt sometimes out of the nowhere. My jaw also started hurting that day, it hurt to eat. I felt nauseous the day of and the day after, now it’s just sometimes. I just feel tired now and then but my headache comes and goes. Should I just wait a couple of more days to see if the symptoms go away?

Loren replied on

I hit my head today on the cabinet corner pretty hard and I cried and I never cry with pain. I even didn’t cry when I broke my neck. But I’ve had a headache all day in the area and been dizzy on and off. It’s sensitive to the touch, no swelling though. I haven’t been able to eat at all since I hit my head today, I just have no desire to eat and I’m nauseated. Should I go to the hospital tonight for it?

Mary replied on

5 days ago I fell in my yard, trip over a chair and hit the side of my head. The next day my skull was very tender to the touch where I fell. Just had a headache, but on the fourth day I have a black eye. should I go to the ER? just still having headaches.

Anonymous replied on

In the article above the doctor mentions that headache is a symptom of concussion. Maybe give your primary care doc a call and see what they say?

Julie replied on

I have epilepsy and had a grand mal. Fell in the garage and obviously hit my head. I usually always have a migraine with nausea following a seizure, and take meds as needed after a seizure. This time, I hit my head obviously quite hard. I had a goose egg swelling on the upper left back side of my head. No one witnessed the seizure. I actually didn’t feel bad quite as long as usual and my VNS was recently increased. It helps me recover faster. Anyway the goose egg remained, a few hours later it was time for bed and the area was sore. When I felt the area, there was swelling around the area where there was a knot but an indentation in the center. My husband came home after I regained consciousness and could get to my phone. Pupil dilation is normal. Cognitive, I mostly seem ok. I was concerned more because when I laid down to sleep had vertigo and still feel dizzy. Vision doesn’t seem affected.

Anonymous replied on

Seems a good idea to seek medical attention -- at least reach out to your primary care doc!

Kerri replied on

I hit my the side of my face and head really hard falling over a small fence, I had a drink at the time but the next my check was really sore and my head, this was three days ago and I feel a bit fuzzy headed and my tinnitus has got worse, I'm sure if I should go hospital or not. I am able to drive etc.. But not sure if I'm panicking for nothing

Anonymous replied on

When in doubt, get it checked out! Place a call to your primary care doctor's office and see what they say

LaShea replied on

i got hit with a wooden paddle on my forehead playing ping pong in gym. it hurt and i didn’t feel good i didn’t black out or anything it just hurt really bad it put a little knot on my forehead i have headaches since then and that was a day ago.. should i be concerned?

Colette replied on

I got hit with a football on the head 4 weeks ago and it still hurts but just down 1 side should I be worried

Anonymous replied on

Hi LaShea, It would probably be a good idea to at least go see your doctor.

Ali- a replied on

I banged the left side of my head behind my ear on a rock, i started to see black spots then i just dropped and people around me said i was on the floor for a little bit they thought i was dead and so then i turned yellow and pale and my lips were purple and my eyes... i don’t know if it was just dehydration but a couple months ago i had a kidney half taken out since it had a tumor pressing on the renal artery to my heart it’s now the 2nd day my ear and head keep hurting only on the side where i hit it..i definitely should’ve went to the hospital but i was telling everyone i was okay and i went in the shade i regained my color and full consciousness. Should i be concerned ?

J replied on

Yes. Please go to a doctor and tell them what you wrote. Hope you're okay/have been doing okay.

Gloria replied on

Hello, I fell and injured my head and neck and my whole left side. Did not brake any bones. I was at McDonalds and the flood was wet with soda. I was very careful. My shoe must had been wet and in the air I went. I had a sprain neck and now need surgery. Had a level 3 concussion. This was 10 months ago. My neurologist says I have concussive syndrome. The last four days my my head is hurting bad. It feels like it is full of pressure. I can’t bend my head over. If I do it hurts bad. Can you help? Do I need to go to the ER?

Jacob replied on

I would definitely go to the doctor. I hope you are okay. What is concussive syndrome? Are few days ago I was drunk and did a pull up on a light post thing (not very high) and just bonked my head on a jut (about 2 inches in diameter) in the post hanging down. My head doesn't hurt too bad, but the top of my head was sore yesterday, and it kind of feels cloudy today, so I hope I am not letting it go untreated if it needs to be, but I feel like personally in my case it was minor? It really only barely hurts to the touch, but maybe there could be a minor injury even though I didn't black out.

Vikki replied on

4 days ago I was in my office and got up to get some folders from the floor beside my desk. My depth perception must've been off, because as I bent down (rather quickly) I smacked the front of my forehead (by my hairline) really hard. My teeth seemed to shake & my eyes went funny for a second, both I'd expect from a hard hit...the area is still tender to the touch, no bruising, but headaches all 4 days since. My oldest daughter has had 5 soccer related concussions. I feel I know my way around them, & don't believe I had one. Generally how long will this headache & tenderness last? No vomiting, no loc, just some nausea & the headache. I feel crummy...not big on going to the ER for Anything. Never taken seriously.

Anonymous replied on

Feeling dazed, headache and nausea are ALL symptoms of concussion. If you're not feeling up for the ER, then at least call your primary care physician and run how you're feeling by them.

Anonymous replied on

Last night a heavy glass figure fell off fridge and busted my head open, I have headache and the injury feels it is going down backnif neck. Is this normal? I did not pass out.

Quinn replied on

A headache after a head injury is one of the symptoms listed above that the doctor suggests getting medical attention for.

Amy replied on

I was boarded against the glass in hockey, went down and saw stars, did not pass out. Head hurt for a day or two. This was 2 weeks ago. This past weekend was in a tournament, jumped up to grab puck came down and my skates came out from under me and head hit ice. Just stars again, I did not black out. I have persistent headaches (through out my whole head) and nauseated. Sometimes I have forgotten what I was doing. I have been sleeping but figured from tylenol..thoughts???

Quinn replied on

Feeling dazed and confused, headaches, and nausea after a head injury are all symptoms of concussion. You should definitely get medical attention. Especially considering that you've had two injuries in just the last couple of weeks. There should also be concussion protocol in place for you team?!

Alex replied on

I passed out a few days ago. I fell in my driveway which is mostly dirt and rocks. I fell on my back hitting the back of my head on the ground. I woke up and got to my front door before passing out again. I didn’t feel pain until the day after and still today. I’ve had a headache since and neck pain and stiffness. My back hurt for a day or two but not as much. Should I be concerned about my head or neck?

Sarat replied on

Hello, I fell in the bathroom knocked my back head on the wall.. No pain until 2 days after, now having on n off headache from the back of my head, my BP rose (170 n something) though v hypertension before now. I v bn taking Naproxen sodium 275mg since yesterday but getting temporary relief. Do I need to go to hospital or not?
Thanks

Blake replied on

Absolutely need to go by the sounds of it. Even to get checked out. Better to be safe than sorry or worse.

Darlene Seaman replied on

I was in a hurry I hit my head on the acrylic sinks I refused to go to the ER my family told me I was Dazed and Confused trying to go to sleep the bathroom is between kitchen and in my room nice shoes went to my room my glasses went into the kitchen it left a knot on my hand now it's been 2 Days Later and it still hurts I'm having headaches everyday since then and yes I did throw up couple times after it happened but it's been a couple days now and when I open my left eye and shut my right eye I have blurred vision but when I close my left eye I can see very very good from my right eye and I've been keeping my left eye closed

Anonymous replied on

Both vomiting and "feeling dazed or confused" are listed above as reasons to promptly go to the ER. Considering it's been days and you still feel bad, you should probably seek medical attention. At least call your primary care physician.

Jill Slifer replied on

My face slammed into a pole at work two days ago, Monday around 1 pm. Split my eyebrow open, black eye and cheek swollen and bruised.
Two days later I'm feeling nauseas, headachy, and swollen worse.

Angie replied on

I had a broken gas powered weed eater in the shed. Up about three feet, motor side down. The head of it is broken off. It fell over, the round pole part hitting me in the left temple. It hurt bad but no loc or vomiting. Just a quarter sized slightly raised swelling lump and slight bruising and small scrape. Had a headache earlier before it happened and had taken OTC migraine meds that relieved it. Headache came back immediately and is still there. My son had a chemo treatment yesterday so I don't want to go to ER if it's not necessary.

Mary replied on

How are you? Did you get a response. Usually outward swelling is a better sign. Headache can be an issue. Did it knock you out?

Joyce replied on

I stepped on the end of a rake and the other end hit me in the left front forehead. I have a large bump that has gone down from when it happened yesterday at 3pm. I am also a panic attack person, so I am not sure if my reaction is from the bump or panic anxiety: never passed out, naseauted, etc . Should I be concerned? it’s a concussion or anxiety

Pam replied on

I fell and hit the back of my very hard on wood flooring. I just have a headache and big bump on the back of my head. I had a meningioma resection 17yrs ago. Should I go ER and be checked out because of my former surgery!

Jj replied on

Yesterday I fell riding a hover board on the road I hit hard first my tailbone then my head slammed back at first I thought I was good but now slight neck movements hurt and I can't lay my head down it has to be in the side. I'm 14 so what should I do?

BA replied on

You probably sprained some of your neck muscles or pulled one. It should get better in about a week if that's all that it is. If you have any naseua or amnesia you should go to the doctor.

RobinDenise Reynolds replied on

Hello,
Back in 2006 I was a patient at Cabrini Hospital in New York City and I was given the medication Clozeril for schizophrenia which made me feel like I was hit in the back of the head by a two-by-four (twice). The caused me to have severe lapse in judgement not to mention the pain that I was in.
I have not fully recovered from this but was wondering if you knew of anyone else who has been through the same thing as I have?
I'm currently on Wellbutrin (but more for quitting smoking than anything else) yet am still very psychotic)
Any thoughts on what I have written?

Lee replied on

A glass plaque fell on my daughter’s head st school. She says she’s fine but her head hurts. Should I take her to the hospital. She has sports practice in an hour and I’m not sure I should take her. Thank you.

Tracy ramsden replied on

My 11 year old banged her forehead on a desk it wasn't bleeding but she got a headache and her back started hurting she was also extremely cold what should I do

Anonymous replied on

I was at the park with my friends and we were playing Marco Polo. I was slipping off the red swirly thing that you climb up on and I fell. I hit my head on the metal part of the structure and my arm got hit on every single bump of the red swirly thing and I have bruises all over my arm. I have a bump on the left side of my head. It hurts constantly. I got picked up early from school today. It was bleeding when it happened yesterday.. It hurts after I smile or when I raise my eyebrows. What should I do to feel better?

Anonymous replied on

I would get this checked! Go to the ER or doctors

Danielle replied on

Hello My 6 year old fell in the bathtub and hit the temple part of his head. He has a slight bump and bruise. He said he has a headache but otherwise acting normal. Should I go to the hospital?

Anonymous replied on

I hope you took him straight to the hospital, it is harder to determine in children if it's serious

john replied on

i was at a parade ang got into a fight with someone and all of his friends jumped me i was kicked in the head a few times and i noticed a small dent in my skull... what should i do

anonomous replied on

Go to the hospital now!!

Penny Belcastro replied on

I fell down in my garage 3 days ago going up a step flat on my back hitting my back, and head on the concrete it and I cried, but I got up and got some paper towels to help apply pressure. The bleeding stopped I went into the house and sat for a while, I have a lump on the ( R ) side of my head and the base of my skull, and neck feels swollen my shoulder's hurt and spasm also my lower back hurts. Do you think it's to late to go to the ER, or see my doctor on Monday??

MJ replied on

There is no such thing as too late to seek help. If you have any visible sign of injury or any symptom persisting more than a few moments, go to the ER... better safe than sorry.

Jacqueline Vivanco replied on

Today I was at the park with my family I was trying to do a pull up on the monkey bars. I thought there was enough space between my head and the other pole behind me but there wasn't. When I went up my head hit the pole. It hurt bad not to the point where I was gonna cry, but it did hurt. It's been a couple of hours and I have a light headache and when I touche the top of my head it hurts, should I be worried? (I am 12 years old)

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