Do I have a concussion? Didn't pass out or get confused but head STILL hurts.?

Question

The other day I had a go kart accident -- I must've been going full speed, though I'm not sure what that speed was, and there was a hairpin turn. I hit the person in front of me harder than I think I've ever hit anything (including a real car accident I had once that bent up the front of my car) -- and my head whipped forward. Actually, my entire body would have left the seat if there wasn't a seat belt that covered my whole torso-- but nothing held my head in place, so forward it went.

My head did not have impact with anything, but my GOSH it was like hitting a wall, and I had a headache for the entire day following. The back of my head and the area behind my forehead hurt, while my neck was oddly okay (at least til the next day, when my neck started to hurt too.)

I wasn't too dizzy afterward (finished the race anyway. Wasn't able to assess until 10 mins later). The sunlight was unpleasant, and made my head hurt more. But I wasn't nauseous. Nor was I confused.

Today, two days later, I still am having frequent headaches, though. I thought it was heat exhaustion but it's in the same area as it was the other day. The area right behind the middle of my forehead. Neck still hurts too, but I'm trying not to be a baby about it. I've been wanting to get a massage for a neckache for ages anyway; I imagine the impact just made that worse.

Is it possible I had a mild concussion, without being dizzy/nauseous? What do I do to fix it?

? · Answer

You have whiplash for sure. Whenever your body stops but your head keeps going, it strains and pulls all
Your neck
Muscles. It can cause symptoms of dizziness, headaches and moderate to severe neck pain. Not much can be done other than some painkillers and rest. It heals in a few weeks. Maybe a follow up with a doctor is needed.

Anonymous · Answer

Get it checked out. I fell off my horse and thought I was fine even though I had a killer head ache but I had a concussion soo

Mark · Answer

There's a good chance you could have gotten a concussion, which is a bruise of the brain. Your brain is actually about the same consistency of a bar of butter at room temperature. It is surrounded by fluid, but a sudden stop or whiplash like you are describing could easily have made it bump into the inside of your skull.

Just because you are not experiencing ALL of the symptoms common with a concussion, that doesn't mean you didn't receive some damage from your accident. You are probably going to be okay, but it wouldn't hurt to see a doctor since you are continuing to experience some symptoms.

At least take it easy for the time being.

Do I have a concussion? Didn't pass out or get confused but head STILL hurts.?

3 Answers