Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Onanist on 05/09/2008 21:45:57
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Around three or four years ago I was kicked repeatedly in the head for reasons I won't go into, and knocked unconscious. Although I didn't realise it at the time, a doctors examination years later revealed a step in my skull which I was told was possibly an old fracture.
More recently, around a year ago, while performing a handstand (again for reasons I won't go into) I felt shooting pains right down one side of my body, and suffered severe headaches for weeks afterwards. Although i was examined both in the emergeny room, and by a gp during this time, I was never x-rayed, and was just given pain killers.
What worries me is that still, years after either of these incidents, I often get headaches, or just feelings of mugginess or difficulty concentrating, and I feel as though putting pressure on my left temple, where the old fracture is, can cause me to have both of these symptoms. Even wearing a hat often gives me a headache or makes me feel like my head is full of cotton wool.
What I'd like to know is if that skull fracture from years ago could be having some lingering effect, and if so, if there is anything I can do about this. This is the sort of question I would normally ask my gp, but the last time I did, I was treated as though I was making a fuss about nothing. I'm particulary concerned since I do full contact sports.
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If your "full contact sports" include boxing (or similar) perhaps you should condsider replacing this sport with a non-contact one...
Injuries Resulting from Boxing
Head Injury
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons say that 90% of boxers sustain a brain injury. Boxing may account for fewer deaths than some other sports but the numbers of boxers suffering brain damage are believed to be much higher than recorded.
It is not surprising that head injury is so common in boxing. It is estimated that when a boxer gets a direct blow to the head it is like being hit by a 12lb padded, wooden mallet travelling at 20mph!
Being hit on the head can cause fractures to the bone of the head and face and tissue damage in the brain. A blow can damage the surface of the brain, tear nerve networks, cause lesions, bleeding and sometimes produce large clots within the brain.
http://menshealth.about.com/od/fitness/a/boxing.htm
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I haven't done any sparring for months, but I'll most likely take it up again at some point.
Sparring one or two times a week in headgear and 16oz gloves is unlikely to put me at serious risk.
But thanks anyway.
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Sometimes you have to be persistant with Gps. They will refer you on only if you keep going back with your problem. It may be that you are being over sensitive about the old injury and are attributing headaches and other things to it but if you are worried you should always go back to the GP.
Having pains down one side of your body does sound worrying but you could have just pinched a nerve. We are not supposed to stand on our heads, after all.
Seriously though my friend had numbness down one side of his body which turned out to be a leaking blood vessel in his head. Fortunately it repaired itself but he could have died.
Go pester your GP if you don't feel right.
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Tell your doctor exactly what you wrote here and tell him or her that you want your head thoroughly examined!!! LOL [;D]
Seriously really tell them that this is a very serious concern that you have and to please check and at least ease your mind!