Why Head Injury Causes Vomiting?

April 5, 2024 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's

Vomiting

Head injury can lead to vomiting due to several mechanisms:

  • Direct Brain Injury: Severe head trauma can cause direct injury to the brain, resulting in disruption of normal brain function. This disruption can trigger the brain’s vomiting center, located in the medulla oblongata, to send signals to the stomach to induce vomiting.
  • Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP): Head injury can lead to increased pressure within the skull, known as intracranial pressure (ICP). Elevated ICP can result from bleeding, swelling, or the presence of fluid within the brain following the injury. Increased ICP can stimulate the vomiting center in the brainstem, leading to vomiting as a protective mechanism to alleviate pressure.
  • Vestibular System Dysfunction: The inner ear contains structures responsible for balance and spatial orientation, collectively known as the vestibular system. Head trauma can disrupt the function of the vestibular system, leading to symptoms such as vertigo and nausea, which can sometimes progress to vomiting.
  • Concussion: A mild traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion, can cause symptoms like headache, dizziness, and nausea, which may trigger vomiting in some individuals. The exact mechanism underlying vomiting in concussion is not fully understood but is believed to involve a combination of factors such as disruption of neural pathways and changes in brain chemistry.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Response: In some cases, vomiting following a head injury may be related to psychological factors such as fear, anxiety, or stress induced by the traumatic event. This can trigger a physiological response that includes nausea and vomiting.

It’s important to note that not all head injuries result in vomiting, and the severity of vomiting can vary depending on the extent and location of the injury. Vomiting following a head injury should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare provider, especially if it is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as loss of consciousness, severe headache, confusion, weakness, or changes in vision, as these may indicate a more serious underlying condition requiring urgent medical attention.

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