Nausea is the unpleasant sensation of wanting to vomit, often accompanied by lightheadedness and sweating. After a fall, feeling nauseous is common. This can be a normal physiological response to the body’s sudden trauma or stress.
Understanding Why Nausea Occurs
A common reason for nausea after a fall is a concussion or other head injury. Even a mild impact can jostle the brain, temporarily disrupting normal brain function. This disruption affects balance and equilibrium, contributing to feelings of dizziness and nausea.
The body’s “fight or flight” response to trauma or fright can also induce nausea. This response releases stress hormones, diverting blood flow from the digestive system. Reduced blood flow to the stomach and intestines can slow digestion and cause a queasy feeling.
Neck injuries, such as whiplash, can also contribute to nausea. Sudden, forceful head and neck movement can strain muscles, ligaments, and nerves in the cervical spine. This may affect nerve pathways to the brain, leading to dizziness, headache, and nausea.
The inner ear’s vestibular system maintains balance. A fall can disrupt this system, sending mixed signals to the brain. This sensory mismatch can result in disorientation, vertigo, and nausea.
Severe pain from any injury can trigger nausea. The body’s pain response activates nerve pathways influencing the digestive system, leading to stomach upset. Anxiety or fear after a fall can also induce nausea. Emotional distress can stimulate the nervous system, affecting digestion.
Recognizing Signs That Require Medical Attention
While nausea can be normal, certain symptoms signal a serious issue requiring medical evaluation. These include a worsening headache or persistent, increasing nausea. Repeated vomiting, especially if projectile or with other neurological symptoms, warrants urgent care.
Seek immediate medical attention for any loss of consciousness, confusion, difficulty waking, or unusual behavior. Seizures after a fall, numbness, weakness, tingling in limbs, or difficulty speaking or seeing also require urgent care. Severe dizziness or continued loss of balance beyond the initial shock warrants a medical visit.
Bleeding from the ears or nose after a head injury, significant bruising or swelling around the head or abdomen, and signs of internal injury like severe abdominal pain or difficulty breathing, all require immediate medical assessment. Any fall involving loss of consciousness, however brief, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Immediate Steps to Take
After a fall, stay calm and assess the situation for immediate medical needs. Check for visible injuries like cuts, bruises, or swelling. If severe injury or head injury signs are present, avoid moving the person and call emergency services.
After initial assessment, rest to prevent further injury and allow the body to recover. Avoid strenuous activity. Continuously monitor symptoms for any changes or worsening conditions over several hours.
If able, stay hydrated with small sips of water or clear fluids to prevent dehydration, which can worsen nausea. Avoid heavy or greasy foods. If any red flag symptoms appear, or if you doubt the injury’s severity, call emergency medical services.
What to Expect During Recovery
During recovery, continued rest is recommended, especially for suspected head injuries. Gradually return to normal activities to allow healing without undue stress. Listen to your body and avoid pushing too quickly, which can delay recovery or worsen symptoms.
Monitor for delayed symptoms, as some issues may not appear immediately. Headaches, dizziness, or mood changes can emerge hours or days later. If symptoms persist, worsen, or new ones develop, follow up with a doctor to rule out complications. Adhering to medical advice and allowing adequate time supports full recovery.