HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Caused A Swelling Near The Temple After Strained Bowel Movement Which Doesn't Seem To Subside?

I have swelling near my temple that has been there for approx 4 weeks. I first noticed it several days after I had a strained bowel movement. I felt a rush up to my head and it felt like an electrical shock, no other real symptoms and I figured I did affect a nerve somehow. I read it may be the vasovagal nerve. I am not sure if the swelling is from that, but I'm puting 2 & 2 together. I went to the Dr. and explained when I noticed it. He said "weird" I said could it be from straining? He didn't seem to think so. He says it's edema, take this anti inflamitory. I swear as soon as he prescribed the medicine It appeared the swelling went down, still never dissipated. Just a few days ago I didn't really have constipation but I did bear down just for a second and I noticed that it seemed to increase in size again. No pain, no discoloration, no heat radiating, just swelling and my vein their is pronounced a bit compared to the other side. I am just curious if anyone knows what this can be from or has ever heard someone else having this. I did a lot of reading online, but nothing really seems to fit... I appreciate anything that might help me determine if this is a potentionally dangerousc condition or not.. Thank you so much!
Wed, 5 Feb 2014
Report Abuse
Pathologist and Microbiologist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
During straining, the muscles in the temple region become prominent.
Persistence of this swelling has to be investigated.
This swelling is not due to vagal nerve since vagal nerve does not run along the temple region.
Edema as suggested by your doctor seems to be unlikely because edema starts at the feet or at dependant region of the body.
If there is unequal swelling in the temple, it could be due to giant cell arteritis.
In this condition, the artery in the temple region becomes inflamed and thickens.
This is just one possibility out of many possibilities.
You need to consult your doctor for clinical examination, relevant investigations and thus management.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
What Caused A Swelling Near The Temple After Strained Bowel Movement Which Doesn't Seem To Subside?

Hello and welcome to HCM, During straining, the muscles in the temple region become prominent. Persistence of this swelling has to be investigated. This swelling is not due to vagal nerve since vagal nerve does not run along the temple region. Edema as suggested by your doctor seems to be unlikely because edema starts at the feet or at dependant region of the body. If there is unequal swelling in the temple, it could be due to giant cell arteritis. In this condition, the artery in the temple region becomes inflamed and thickens. This is just one possibility out of many possibilities. You need to consult your doctor for clinical examination, relevant investigations and thus management. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal