Could a Rollercoaster Cause a Concussion?
A 17-year-old recently enjoyed two exhilarating rides on the Hulk rollercoaster in Orlando just two hours prior and has since been experiencing a sense of confusion and a peculiar feeling in his head. Is it possible that he has sustained a mild concussion? He recalls jostling his head during the initial ride, which raises concerns about the impact's effect.
Answers (1)
8/10/2025, 7:30:46 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about head injuries, especially after a thrilling rollercoaster ride. Given the symptoms of confusion and an unusual feeling in the head following potentially jarring movements, there’s a possibility that a mild concussion could have occurred.
Understanding the Risk
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury usually caused by a blow to the head, but it can also result from sudden jarring movements (like those experienced on a rollercoaster). Symptoms can vary and may include confusion, dizziness, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and sometimes a sense of feeling "off."
Next Steps
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes. Look for worsening confusion, severe headaches, persistent dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. If any of these occur, it's important to seek immediate help.
-
Rest: Ensure plenty of physical and cognitive rest. Avoid strenuous activities, including intense exercise, and limit screen time and activities that require deep concentration.
-
Stay Hydrated: Drink enough water to stay well-hydrated, as dehydration can sometimes worsen symptoms.
-
Avoid Alcohol and Stress: Both can complicate recovery, so it's best to refrain from them for now.
-
Seek Medical Advice If Needed: If symptoms persist or worsen, such as if confusion increases or new symptoms appear, it would be wise to seek professional evaluation.
Conclusion
While a mild concussion is possible given the circumstances, careful monitoring and rest are your priority for now. If you have significant concerns or notice alarming symptoms, please take action to ensure safety. Engaging in self-care can help you assess how you're feeling over the next few hours and days.
Related Questions
22-Year-Old Female with EBV-Related Autoimmune Symptoms Post-Infection
**Age:** 22 | **Gender:** Female **Location:** United States **Medical Background:** Diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Virus (mononucleosis) in April 2025; initial symptoms began on February 14, 2025, with a delay in diagnosis of two months. **Primary Issue:** Experiencing a range of persistent symptoms across body systems and abnormal autoimmune lab results six months post-EBV infection. These issues greatly impact daily living and seem to be intensifying. **Current Complaints:** - **Extreme fatigue** (ongoing since February) - **Intermittent joint discomfort** - **Constipation** - **Abdominal distension** and **tension in abdominal muscles** (above the navel) - **Tightness in mid-back muscles** - **Generalized torso discomfort** - **Mild dizziness** - **Severely dry lips** with **cracks at the corners** of the mouth (suggestive of angular cheilitis) - **Burning feeling in the nasal passages** - **Inward suctioning of nostrils upon inhalation** with a whistling sound - **Sensitivity to light** — perception of increased brightness and temporary visual disturbances including black or colored spots - **Symptoms resembling a urinary tract infection:** burning sensation during urination, frequent urge, and discomfort - **Eczema outbreaks** - **New skin irritation on fingers** (dry and red rash) - **Feeling of breath constriction** (described as “breathing through a straw”) **Laboratory Findings (February to July 2025):** - **EBV VCA IgM:** Positive results in both March and July - **EBV VCA IgG & EBNA IgG:** Elevated levels - **Antinuclear Antibody (ANA):** Positive at a dilution of 1:80 with a speckled pattern (July) - **Anti-TPO Antibodies:** Elevated levels (indicative of potential autoimmune thyroiditis) - **Ferritin Levels:** Fluctuating readings of 187, 134, and 193 ng/mL (consistently high) - **Vitamin D:** Levels changing from 12.4 to 45.3 to 36.2 ng/mL - **Vitamin B12:** Elevated level - **Thyroid Function Tests (TSH & Free T4):** Within normal range, but anti-TPO remains high - **ALT:** Initially elevated in February but normalized later - **February Urinalysis:** Detected RBCs, protein, and ketones; which normalized later - **Lyme Disease Test:** Negative **Inquiry:** Could these manifestations be indicative of a post-viral syndrome that may be instigating autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, or connective tissue disorders? What additional tests or specialist referrals should I pursue based on my symptomatology and lab results?
Reducing Scarring from Second-Degree Burns
Age: 32, Height: 5'5", Weight: 200 lbs. Currently applying Silver Sulfadiazine cream two times a day and using non-adhering gauze for protection. Eight days ago, I sustained a significant burn on my wrist due to accidentally spilling hot cooking oil. I’m wondering what steps I can take to lessen the potential for scarring. This doesn’t seem like a situation requiring skin grafts, does it? I’ll share photos from just after the injury and from today in the comments for reference.
Could This Be Lymphangitis? Should I Consult My Doctor?
Greetings, I’m a 28-year-old female from the USA. About two weeks ago, I developed a bug bite or possibly an intensely itchy hive on my foot. Occasionally, I experience random hives that can be quite bothersome, and I often don't realize how much I’ve scratched them until they become sore. This particular spot turned into a scab, and of course, I made the mistake of picking at it once. After removing the first bandage, I observed a red line near the area where it had been placed. While I do have reactions to bandages, they typically manifest as a rash in the exact shape of the bandage. The affected area hasn’t deteriorated or expanded; I can confidently say it’s not impacting my heart. There’s a notable absence of warmth, swelling, or discharge—just the persistent redness. I’m uncertain about the next steps since it hasn’t caused me any discomfort and hasn’t changed in size for the past week. What should I do?
22-Year-Old Female: Post-EBV Infection with Autoimmune Concerns
**Demographics:** 22 years old, Female **Region:** United States **Health Background:** Diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Virus (mononucleosis) in April 2025, though symptoms first emerged on February 14, 2025, leading to a two-month delay in diagnosis. **Primary Issue:** Experiencing ongoing, diverse symptoms and irregular autoimmune test results for six months since the EBV infection. These issues significantly diminish daily life and seem to be progressively worsening. **Current Symptoms Include:** * **Extreme fatigue** lasting since February * **Joint pain** that shifts locations * **Constipation** * **Bloating** accompanied by tightness in abdominal muscles (above the navel) * **Tightness in mid-back muscles** * **General discomfort throughout the torso** * **Minor dizziness** * **Severely chapped lips** with cracks at the corners (indicative of angular cheilitis) * **Burning sensation** in the nasal passages * **Inward suctioning of nostrils** during inhalation, producing a whistling sound * **Sensitivity to light**, with heightened brightness and occasional dark or color spots in vision * **Urinary discomfort**: burning sensation during urination, frequent urgency, and general discomfort * **Eczema flare-ups** * **New irritation on a finger** (dry and red rash) * **Feeling of tightness while breathing**, akin to "breathing through a straw" **Laboratory Findings (February - July 2025):** * **EBV VCA IgM:** Positive results in March and July * **EBV VCA IgG & EBNA IgG:** High levels detected * **Antinuclear Antibody (ANA):** Positive result of 1:80, speckled pattern (July) * **Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase (Anti-TPO) antibodies:** Elevated levels (suggesting possible thyroid autoimmune condition) * **Ferritin levels:** Fluctuating but consistently high (187 ng/mL to 134 ng/mL back to 193 ng/mL) * **Vitamin D levels:** Changes from 12.4 ng/mL to 45.3 ng/mL then drops to 36.2 ng/mL * **Vitamin B12 levels:** Notably elevated * **Thyroid indicators (TSH & Free T4):** Within normal limits, yet Anti-TPO remains high * **ALT:** Initially high in February, later normalized * **Urinalysis in February:** Showed presence of red blood cells, protein, and ketones with later normalization * **Lyme Disease test:** Negative results *Is it possible that these symptoms are indicative of post-viral syndrome leading to autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s, Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, or connective tissue diseases?* *What further tests or specialist referrals should I pursue in light of my symptoms and lab results?*
Understanding Wrist and Forearm Discomfort After Bouldering
At 19 years old, I am a male standing 5'9" and weighing 147 pounds. I currently do not take any medications, do not smoke, and the only health concern affecting me is the one I will discuss here. I have been engaged in bouldering for approximately three months, reaching a climbing level of V4/V5, where many routes require considerable finger strength and are quite crimpy in nature. I typically climb around five times a week, and I suspect that my inexperience, combined with the challenging climbs, may have led to some level of injury, as my tendons might not have adapted fully yet. When I grip my hand, I notice a mild ache in the inner part of my lower forearm, near the elbow, which occurs bilaterally. Additionally, I experience a slight but noticeable discomfort in my wrist when I quickly extend it forward. I believe this might be a case of overuse, and I hope that a few days of rest could facilitate healing, although I am uncertain about the situation. I appreciate any guidance you can offer beforehand.