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What Causes Headaches, Nausea And Irritability After An Accident?
Question: 8 days ago I was involved in a MVA. I was rear ended on the left corner of my bumper and knocked into the XXXXXXX to the right of me and then was hit by a semi passing. I went to the ER after the accident, was diagnosed with a shoulder strain, given a ex for pain medicine and sent home. I started having headaches and nausea 3 days after the accident, vomited once and have been sensitive to light, irritable and not myself. I went back to work 5 days after the accident and called my boss the wrong name and noticed during a presentation that I couldn't find the right words, was forgetting details of a project I have been working on for a year and had a couple incidences of slow speech. Today the headache was the worst it's been since the accident. I went to the ER and my bp was 163/84 and pulse was 95. I've never had high bp in my life. My systolic normally lives between 115-125 and diastolic around 72. My CT was clear so they gave me a prescription for ibuprofen and sent me home. I'm not 100% in agreeance with that answer. I can't quite explain it but something is not right. And now I still have a headache that ibuprofen will not elevate and high bp with no explanation. Any advice is appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Possibly post traumatic stress disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.
The symptoms of the query are quite suggestive of a possible Post traumatic stress disorder.
Initially, after reading your message, I was thinking about possible concussion. But since your scan is normal (as per your message), it is not likely.
Therefore, the other possibility is mild form of post traumatic stress disorder (also known as PTSD).
Usually it takes a severe trauma to develop this syndrome.
In mild cases, no significant treatment may be needed. Time usually takes its course and it resolves on its own. Only symptoms need to be taken care off (hence the brufen).
In severe cases or where the symptoms persist beyond 2-3 months, one needs antidepressants, steroids etc.
Sports are known to help recovery. So do take up something you like.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible.
Feel free to contact me for further information.
Confirmation of the suggestion above can be made by local neurologists.
Best of luck, Dr Mittal
Possibly post traumatic stress disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.
The symptoms of the query are quite suggestive of a possible Post traumatic stress disorder.
Initially, after reading your message, I was thinking about possible concussion. But since your scan is normal (as per your message), it is not likely.
Therefore, the other possibility is mild form of post traumatic stress disorder (also known as PTSD).
Usually it takes a severe trauma to develop this syndrome.
In mild cases, no significant treatment may be needed. Time usually takes its course and it resolves on its own. Only symptoms need to be taken care off (hence the brufen).
In severe cases or where the symptoms persist beyond 2-3 months, one needs antidepressants, steroids etc.
Sports are known to help recovery. So do take up something you like.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible.
Feel free to contact me for further information.
Confirmation of the suggestion above can be made by local neurologists.
Best of luck, Dr Mittal
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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