I fell off my bike yesterday...?!


Question:

I fell off my bike yesterday...?

And hit the ground pretty hard. I think I made contact with just my fore-amrs, and my knees, but a couple mintues after I fell Everything looked very bright and overexposed. Also, I felt very cold and looked very pale. What might have happened? Do you think this was a minor concussion?


Answers:

Hello
Not an uncommon reaction,even without actual injury.
It sounds as though you had no impact to your head and the symptoms that you described could be attributed to what we , loosely call a "vaso-vagal episode" or "fainting".
Just the "sight of blood" or the thought of physical injury or threat can produce symptoms.
Although occurring in varied degrees, body function, under the "vagal" ( parasympathetic) nervous system, produces a slowed heart rate, sweating, lowered blood pressure, and a number of other minor changes in the gastro intestinal system.
The sum total, is a diminished blood flow to the brain and fainting or near fainting. You would be more predisposed if overheated,dehydrated, or under significant stress.
It is one of the reasons that, in an emergency room, we ask family members to be seated and monitor them for signs or symptoms similar to yours.
Typically, lowering the head or raising the feet, a cool cloth to the head/neck with reverse these scary sensations.
Seemingly, nearly everyone has a similar reaction, during their life. The "literature", although recognizing this as a "syndrome" is just a general response to many causes, that are stressful i.e. pain, just happens more frequently in some.
Sometimes a salt load, like tomato juice, will allay another episode.
Hope this helps.
Be well (and safe)...wear a helmet !




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