Understanding Why You See Stars When You Hit Your Head Hard

Understanding Why You See Stars When You Hit Your Head

Hitting your head hard enough to "see stars" can be alarming. The sensation of seeing flashing lights or spots in your vision after a head injury likely indicates you've sustained a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). But what exactly causes this visual disturbance? And when should you seek emergency care?

What Happens During an Impact That Makes You See Stars

When your head is hit forcefully, either through an accident, sports collision, or attack, the brain moves back and forth inside the skull. This rapid acceleration and deceleration causes stress and deformation to brain cells and soft tissue.

The visual sensation of seeing stars is caused by the stretching and damage to the retina and nerves in the back of the eye. The photoreceptor cells in the retina detect light and send signals to the brain, which are temporarily disrupted by the trauma.

Assessing Other Concussion Symptoms

Vision issues like seeing stars are one of the most common symptoms of a concussion. But head trauma can cause a wide array of other neurological, cognitive, and emotional symptoms too.

Here are some other key signs you may have suffered a concussion:

• Headache or head pressure
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling off-balance
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling dazed, sleepy, or groggy
• Memory lapses or confusion
• Difficulty concentrating or paying attention

When to Seek Emergency Care After an Impact

Any time you hit your head and have visual disturbances or other concussion symptoms, you should stop activity and rest. Have someone monitor you for worsening signs like:

• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Inability to awaken
• Repeated vomiting
• Increasing confusion
• Weakness or losing sensation in arms/legs
• Different sized pupils
• Clear fluid draining from nose/ears
• Difficulty speaking or walking

Emergency care is crucial if you notice any of these red flags after an impact. Call 911 or go to the ER right away.

Examining Why We See Stars After a Head Injury

Let's take a more in-depth look at exactly what happens inside the skull when you "get your bell rung" and see stars after a hit to the head.

The Brain's Response to Sudden Movement

The gelatinous brain essentially "floats" inside the bony skull, suspended in cerebrospinal fluid. This allows it to move slightly during routine daily motion. But forceful, whipping movements can cause more dramatic displacement.

When the head stops abruptly after an impact, the still-moving brain can slam against the interior of the skull. This crashes brain tissue against sharp bone and membranes, damaging neurons and axons.

Stressing the Retina's Light-Sensing Cells

The sudden back-and-forth motion also pulls on the optic nerve, which connects the eyes to the brain. This jostling stresses the retina, which is the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye.

When the retina is stretched or inflamed, the photoreceptor cells get overexcited and begin sparking signals erratically to the brain. These cells normally signal properly to generate clear vision.

The distorted signaling gets interpreted by the visual processing centers as flashing or shimmering lights that aren't actually there – the sensation we know as "seeing stars."

Potential Damage to the Brain Caused by Impacts

Trauma strong enough to lead to seeing stars raises major concerns about acute injury and long-term damage in the brain:

• Axonal shearing - Tearing of nerve fibers that can lead to coma/death
• Contusions - Bruising with potential to enlarge and cause severe swelling
• Subdural hematomas - Bleeding/clotting that presses on delicate tissue
• Second impact syndrome - Catastrophic swelling after a subsequent hit before recovery
• CTE - Progressive degeneration thought to arise later from repeated smaller hits

Even impacts that produce temporary concussion symptoms need to be evaluated to rule out scarier damage requiring emergency surgery.

Steps to Take After Seeing Stars from a Head Injury

Here is a summary checklist of what you should do following any significant head trauma resulting in visual disturbances:

1. Stop Activity and Rest

Immediately cease any activity and sit or lie down. Have someone monitor you closely. Rest will help stabilize your brain function and allow symptoms to potentially resolve.

2. Seek Doctor Evaluation

Make an urgent appointment to see your doctor even if symptoms start improving. They can formally diagnose a concussion using assessment tools and tests.

3. Follow Recovery Recommendations

Your doctor will likely prescribe cognitive and physical rest until symptoms alleviate. They may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, headaches preventatives, or other concussion therapies.

4. Consult Again if Symptoms Worsen

Check back in with your doctor if you experience any worsening vision changes, confusion, weakness, or other concerning symptoms that could signal bleeding/swelling in the brain.

Taking quick action at the first signs of concussion can help minimize short and long-term repercussions after "seeing stars." Always err on the side of caution when it comes to head injury and care for your brain!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.