syncopy caused bad fall-should I see a doctor?

[nmorgen]

I fainted this past Friday. I fell straight back and hit my head on a concrete floor. When I came to I had no idea where I was or what was going on. The back of my head felt like it was splitting open and I had this weird pftht sounding tinnitus in my head. I slept the rest of the day and most of Saturday. I do not have the horrible headache anymore, but I have an uncomfortable pressure and pain in my head and face. I've also been a little nauseous, but I haven't vomited. My main concern is that I am leaving Europe for the US in two weeks and need to know if I should see a dr. If so, should I also insist on a cat scan or MRI to make sure everything is okay?

[caregiver222]

The preferred scan is neither an x-ray, MRI not a CT, but a dye-contrast MRA. In addition an MRI should be performed to rule out hairline fracture of the cervical vertebrae.

You need to go to an emergency room immediately. That means now.

You have two medical problems.

The first was the initial cause of the fainting.

The second is to rule out the possibility of a subdural hematoma secondary to the fall.

Should there will be a slow bleed which is undetected, there is a possibility you will develop permanant irreversible brain damage.

[SamPCS]

You need to go and get a CT scan or MRI (preferably) immediately for your head injury.  I had a similar injury and turned out to be bleeding on the brain.

When I first went to ER they didn't diagnose my brain injury first and only after 3 days when I went to PCP (because I had dizziness, headache etc.,) she immediately ordered CT Scan which revealed my brain contusion.  It has been 1 year and 5 months and am still suffering everyday and tried all therapies, meds etc. with no success.

Since you have amnesia about the event you must to to ER or your doctor right away.  Most likely it may be a concussions but only tests can determine what you have.

good luck.

[Dr Sharma]

Welcome to the medhelp neurology forum. Thanks for writing in. You sustained a fall on your  head due to syncope. It definitely needs to be investigated on a high priority basis. Fainting or syncope occurs due to decreased blood supply to the brain as a result of failure of the heart to pump, the blood vessels failing to maintain tone and blood pressure, not enough blood or fluid in vessels. Common causes are heart rhythm changes like tachycardia, bradycardia due to blocks or beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Structural heart muscle damage as in heart attack or cardiomyopathy. Vasovagal syncope due to vagal predominance, anemia and dehydration are other common cause.  Hypoglycemia in an undetected diabetic could also cause fainting.Certain tests need to be done like electrocardiogram, complete blood count, thyroid profile, holter monitor, blood sugar profile, tilt table test to  orthostatic hypotension and CT, MRI depending on the physician’s suspicion of a nervous system related cause. I suggest that you consult your physician immediatiely before your trip as this could recur and catch you unawares on the trip. Take care and keep me posted.