Struggling with Head Movements and Pain
Hello everyone! I'm a 20-year-old female, standing at 166 cm tall and weighing 62 kg. Back in June 2021, I had a rather serious accident where I fell off a stool while trying to catch myself. In the process, I hit the side of my head on a wooden sideboard by my bed and lost consciousness for a period. Thankfully, help arrived quickly, and although my arm injury was taken care of, my head injury went unchecked. In the days and weeks that followed, I began to notice something troubling: whenever I tried to look up, I would feel faint and would almost pass out for a few seconds. At that time, due to the COVID pandemic and the challenges of getting care in the UK (thanks to the NHS), my focus remained primarily on my arm. Consequently, I had to manage physiotherapy at home on my own, which meant my head issues were left unaddressed. As time went by, about a year later, I found I could look upwards again, but only for very brief moments—about 5 to 10 seconds—before losing my vision temporarily. When I sleep, I must keep my head elevated; if at any point my head drops even slightly lower, I endure significant pain. Aside from this discomfort, my daily functioning doesn’t seem greatly impaired. I do have some balance issues, especially when descending stairs or going downhill while hiking, but these do not significantly affect my day-to-day life. Lately, I’ve been eager to return to gymnastics and yoga—although I'm not looking for anything overly strenuous, just some movements that require my head to be lowered. However, I've found these activities nearly impossible to manage; I can only go upside down once before needing an hour to recuperate. I'm seeking any insights or suggestions on this situation. Should I consider this a pressing medical issue? Is it wise to accept that such movements may be off-limits for me? Will this condition deteriorate with time? I can now look upwards without pain, which gives me hope that improvement is possible in the future.
Answers (1)
3/23/2025, 4:01:15 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds challenging to navigate the physical and emotional effects of your head injury, especially as you’re looking forward to activities like gymnastics and yoga. Here’s a summary of key points regarding your situation and recommendations:
Key Points:
- Your symptoms, particularly the faintness and pain during head movements, could be related to the previous head injury.
- It's positive that your symptoms have somewhat improved, allowing you to look upwards without pain.
- However, ongoing symptoms like temporary vision loss, discomfort with head movements, and balance issues indicate that this should be assessed further.
Explanation: The experience of faintness when looking up and pain when your head is lower could be linked to several factors, including vestibular dysfunction (issues with balance) or cervical spine problems stemming from your injury. It’s important to address these symptoms, as they can affect your quality of life and engagement in physical activities. Your body has shown some improvement, which is encouraging, but it’s important to understand that ongoing evaluation is necessary.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a daily log of your symptoms, noting what triggers faintness or pain, the duration of symptoms, and any activities that exacerbate or alleviate your condition.
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Gentle Movements: While you await further assessment, focus on very gentle stretches or movements that have minimal impact on your head position. Activities like restorative yoga, focusing on breathing and stretching, may help without severe positional changes.
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Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure you are well-hydrated and nourished, as dehydration and low blood sugar can exacerbate feelings of faintness.
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Balance Exercises: Consider incorporating simple balance exercises that don’t require head tilting. Activities like standing on one leg or practicing Tai Chi can help build stability without putting you at risk.
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Consider Professional Guidance: It’s advisable to see a healthcare professional, such as a neurologist or physiotherapist, who can provide tailored advice specific to your symptoms. They can offer appropriate interventions, including vestibular rehabilitation if needed.
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Know When to Rest: Allow yourself ample recovery time after activities, especially any that involve changes in head position. Listen to your body and respect its limits to prevent exacerbating your symptoms.
While these suggestions are helpful, it is essential to have a more thorough assessment from health professionals to determine the underlying issues and develop a comprehensive management plan. Remember, gradual improvement is possible, and it’s okay to seek help in navigating these concerns.
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