What causes dizziness three days after hitting your head from a fall?

May 15, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Jun

Introduction

Dizziness occurring three days after hitting the head due to a fall may be caused by concussion, cervical spondylosis, epidural hematoma, or other reasons. After a head injury, the brain may experience shock or vibration, disrupting the transmission of electrical signals among neurons. Meanwhile, head trauma may cause cerebral blood vessels to constrict or dilate, leading to changes in cerebral blood flow and resulting in symptoms such as dizziness.

In general, dizziness three days after hitting the head due to a fall may be caused by concussion, cervical spondylosis, epidural hematoma, or other reasons. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Concussion

After head trauma, the brain may experience shock or vibration, disrupting the transmission of electrical signals among neurons. Additionally, head injury may cause cerebral blood vessels to constrict or dilate, leading to changes in cerebral blood flow and resulting in symptoms such as dizziness. If no other symptoms are present, adequate rest and avoidance of strenuous physical activity are recommended.

2. Cervical Spondylosis

Head injury may lead to pathological changes in the cervical spine. Such cervical spine lesions can affect surrounding muscles and nerves, impairing blood and oxygen supply, thereby causing symptoms like headache and localized numbness. This condition may be improved through anterior cervical surgery.

3. Epidural Hematoma

Following trauma, blood vessels between the skull and the dura mater may rupture and bleed, causing local swelling and compression of surrounding nerves. This may result in symptoms such as vomiting and generalized weakness. In severe cases, treatment options include craniotomy for hematoma evacuation or burr hole drainage.

Besides the above common causes, dizziness could also result from intracerebral hemorrhage, skull fracture, brain tumor, or other conditions. If symptoms are severe and accompanied by additional signs such as nausea or blurred vision, prompt medical evaluation with a brain CT scan is necessary to identify the underlying cause and initiate appropriate treatment.

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Suddenly fell down, convulsing and losing consciousness

Sudden falls with convulsions and loss of consciousness are usually caused by conditions such as hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, or epileptic seizures, and treatment should be based on the specific underlying cause using appropriate medications. Besides these common causes, other factors such as cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, or acute myocardial infarction may also be responsible. Patients should seek prompt medical attention to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.

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Can an 80-year-old elderly person recover from intracranial hemorrhage caused by a fall?

Generally, if an 80-year-old elderly person falls and sustains a minor impact with only a small amount of intracranial bleeding, recovery may be possible. However, if the fall occurs on a hard floor, involves severe impact, and results in significant bleeding, complete recovery is unlikely. If any of the aforementioned symptoms occur, the patient must be promptly taken to the hospital for treatment. Symptomatic management should be carried out under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, the patient should remain as calm as possible, rest in bed, and avoid emotional excitement and strenuous physical activity.