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What Causes Nausea And Vomiting Post Mild Head Injury?
Question: I am a 40 year old female and I have always been healthy and I've had my tubes tied so I know I am not pregnant.
Three weeks (19th) ago I fell backwards off steps and the back right side of my head struck a block wall. I had a bad headache after but that was about all. I went to a doctor few days later and he didn't see any bruising, prescribed me prednisone for swelling and sent me home. Since then I have been experiencing random bouts of nausea and vomiting and fevers up to 102 and I've never run fevers that high. A week after the fall I developed a cough and fever, I assumed it was a cold so I didn't go to the doc. I felt as if I were better but on the 4th of January I woke up and vomited phlegm and yellow bile which I dismissed as being related to my cold. But then on the 7th as I was exiting my car after a quick trip to the store I began vomiting over and over. I had not felt bad all day and I felt fine until the 9th (yesterday) when I woke up nauseated chilling and aching all over. As the day progressed my fever again reached 102. I awoke this morning and felt absolutely fine except for my head being a little sore where it hit the wall weeks earlier. With all that being said, could these symptoms possibly be related to my fall or something else entirely. I am getting concerned because I have never experienced such random symptoms spaced so far apart.
Thank You, XXXXXXX
Three weeks (19th) ago I fell backwards off steps and the back right side of my head struck a block wall. I had a bad headache after but that was about all. I went to a doctor few days later and he didn't see any bruising, prescribed me prednisone for swelling and sent me home. Since then I have been experiencing random bouts of nausea and vomiting and fevers up to 102 and I've never run fevers that high. A week after the fall I developed a cough and fever, I assumed it was a cold so I didn't go to the doc. I felt as if I were better but on the 4th of January I woke up and vomited phlegm and yellow bile which I dismissed as being related to my cold. But then on the 7th as I was exiting my car after a quick trip to the store I began vomiting over and over. I had not felt bad all day and I felt fine until the 9th (yesterday) when I woke up nauseated chilling and aching all over. As the day progressed my fever again reached 102. I awoke this morning and felt absolutely fine except for my head being a little sore where it hit the wall weeks earlier. With all that being said, could these symptoms possibly be related to my fall or something else entirely. I am getting concerned because I have never experienced such random symptoms spaced so far apart.
Thank You, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Wish to rule out hematoma first; MRI or CT scan please
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. In my opinion nausea and vomiting can be related to a head injury and need to be considered and evaluated at the earliest to rule out possible hematomas in the head.
In cases with recent head trauma whether on the same day or a few days prior to the appearance of symptoms that can be associated with head injuries an immediate MRI or CT scan of the head will have to be conducted. I do not wish to alarm you, but I would really want to rule out the worst first in order to better concentrate on the more simple causes.
As for the other symptom, mainly fever, this can also appear due to some worsening condition caused due to the hematoma. But otherwise, once the head injury is ruled out I would say that your symptoms are completely unrelated of course. Please do not misunderstand my alarming concern, but I do not like taking things that can result in serious consequences for granted.
I hope you find my response helpful and also hope that this is nothing serious. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications. I would be more than happy to help.
Best wishes.
Wish to rule out hematoma first; MRI or CT scan please
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. In my opinion nausea and vomiting can be related to a head injury and need to be considered and evaluated at the earliest to rule out possible hematomas in the head.
In cases with recent head trauma whether on the same day or a few days prior to the appearance of symptoms that can be associated with head injuries an immediate MRI or CT scan of the head will have to be conducted. I do not wish to alarm you, but I would really want to rule out the worst first in order to better concentrate on the more simple causes.
As for the other symptom, mainly fever, this can also appear due to some worsening condition caused due to the hematoma. But otherwise, once the head injury is ruled out I would say that your symptoms are completely unrelated of course. Please do not misunderstand my alarming concern, but I do not like taking things that can result in serious consequences for granted.
I hope you find my response helpful and also hope that this is nothing serious. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications. I would be more than happy to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your opinion. I do however have a follow up question. Is it possible that symptoms of head trauma/injury or a possible hematoma show up in the weeks after the fall? If for example it is a hematoma, wouldn't the symptoms present themselves within days?
Thank you so much XXXXXXX
Thank you for your opinion. I do however have a follow up question. Is it possible that symptoms of head trauma/injury or a possible hematoma show up in the weeks after the fall? If for example it is a hematoma, wouldn't the symptoms present themselves within days?
Thank you so much XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
If your insurance covers it, then why not
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again XXXXXXX
I was taught to believe so too. But trust me, with each year of experience being added to my practice I learn more about how different textbook knowledge is from what experience has to teach.
Symptoms of a head injury should present immediately or latest within a few days as correctly quoted by you. But, there are exceptions. There was one such case that presented to a colleague in the same hospital I work. A lady patient presented with a head injury but no symptoms indicating the need for a head scan and so the patient was sent home immediately with instructions of an ice pack and mild pain management medications.
She passed away 2 weeks later. I do not wish to alarm you with this, but although I know an internal head injury is unlikely for you at this point I do not wish to take a chance. So if at all your insurance covers it and you have nothing to lose financially, please go ahead with the same.
Once a head injury is ruled out completely, we can concentrate on other causes for a rise in temperature. You could also request for a comprehensive blood panel while at the doctors, which should include a check on your leukocytes.
I look forward to hearing from you further in order to help you further. Please do not hesitate to write to me about anything, anytime. I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
If your insurance covers it, then why not
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again XXXXXXX
I was taught to believe so too. But trust me, with each year of experience being added to my practice I learn more about how different textbook knowledge is from what experience has to teach.
Symptoms of a head injury should present immediately or latest within a few days as correctly quoted by you. But, there are exceptions. There was one such case that presented to a colleague in the same hospital I work. A lady patient presented with a head injury but no symptoms indicating the need for a head scan and so the patient was sent home immediately with instructions of an ice pack and mild pain management medications.
She passed away 2 weeks later. I do not wish to alarm you with this, but although I know an internal head injury is unlikely for you at this point I do not wish to take a chance. So if at all your insurance covers it and you have nothing to lose financially, please go ahead with the same.
Once a head injury is ruled out completely, we can concentrate on other causes for a rise in temperature. You could also request for a comprehensive blood panel while at the doctors, which should include a check on your leukocytes.
I look forward to hearing from you further in order to help you further. Please do not hesitate to write to me about anything, anytime. I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you again. I spoke with my Dr. this evening and he is also concerned. And a little irritated that I didn't come back in for a follow up. I do have great insurance and I think he can justify ordering a CT scan. It would certainly put my mind at ease. Again, I thank you so much for your input. It means a lot. I will keep you posted, if you would like, ha ha. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Of course I would XXXXXXX do keep in touch
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Of course I would like to be kept in the loop. I shall rest assured only once a diagnosis is reach and your treatment has been initiated at the least.
Best of luck and God speed.
Of course I would XXXXXXX do keep in touch
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Of course I would like to be kept in the loop. I shall rest assured only once a diagnosis is reach and your treatment has been initiated at the least.
Best of luck and God speed.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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