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What Causes Seizures With Nausea And Headaches After A Neck Injury?
Question: Following an accident, in which my patient's which my neck was kicked two years ago, she has sedizure like behavior with strong nausea and headaches. There are no neurological findings so the seizures appear to be psychogenic and she has a history of childhood trauma. During these episodes she is unable to talk and feels she cannot move her body. Recently have started to view this as a vagus nerve injury. What are possible treatments or exercises?
Brief Answer:
Further evaluation needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
In my opinion, symptoms experienced by the patient ( seizure -like) are functional ones.
Vagus nerve connection to seizures is not really clear.
In certain types of seizures ( temporal lobe arising ones ) vagus nerve stimulation improves symptoms.
There is need for more information and uploading results, about imaging studies done regarding to your patient's accident.
An EEG ( electroencephalogram) is needed to exclude true seizures too.
If no lesions that can justify seizures at imaging studies and EEG, then we can say for sure that underlying cause of symptoms is psychological.
Treatment depends on cause ( traumatic vs. psychological).
Hope I helped you. I remain at your disposal for further questions or clarifications.
Further evaluation needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
In my opinion, symptoms experienced by the patient ( seizure -like) are functional ones.
Vagus nerve connection to seizures is not really clear.
In certain types of seizures ( temporal lobe arising ones ) vagus nerve stimulation improves symptoms.
There is need for more information and uploading results, about imaging studies done regarding to your patient's accident.
An EEG ( electroencephalogram) is needed to exclude true seizures too.
If no lesions that can justify seizures at imaging studies and EEG, then we can say for sure that underlying cause of symptoms is psychological.
Treatment depends on cause ( traumatic vs. psychological).
Hope I helped you. I remain at your disposal for further questions or clarifications.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for your response. There seems to be no question of negative findings on the brain studies. And we are treating her trauma history. The question is whether an injury to the vagus nerve could account for her complaints of continued nausea, headaches, and the periodic seizure-type behavior. I understand that the vagus nerve is often linked to dissociative behavior but also wonder if the vagus nerve is involved with the complex of her symptoms, is there any treatment or exercise that could ameliorate the reactions or reduce the triggering of these reactions?
Brief Answer:
Vagal nerve stimulation may help.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
The prominent symptom of the vagus nerve damage is Gastroparesis, or nonfunctional stomach.
Other symptoms of vagus nerve damage are pain in the stomach, nausea, heartburn, vocal changes, and weight loss.
Headaches and seizure-type symptoms are more probably related to Posttraumatic stress disorder.
Vagal nerve stimulation is used to treat seizures and recently depression.
Vagal nerve stimulation can be achieved by a pacemaker-like device or by following maneuvers: holding the breath for a few seconds, dipping the face in cold water, coughing.
Hope this helps. Best regards.
Vagal nerve stimulation may help.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
The prominent symptom of the vagus nerve damage is Gastroparesis, or nonfunctional stomach.
Other symptoms of vagus nerve damage are pain in the stomach, nausea, heartburn, vocal changes, and weight loss.
Headaches and seizure-type symptoms are more probably related to Posttraumatic stress disorder.
Vagal nerve stimulation is used to treat seizures and recently depression.
Vagal nerve stimulation can be achieved by a pacemaker-like device or by following maneuvers: holding the breath for a few seconds, dipping the face in cold water, coughing.
Hope this helps. Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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