Why You Get Dizzy When Blowing Nose After Concussion - Causes & Treatment

Why You May Get Dizzy When Blowing Your Nose After a Concussion

It's not uncommon to experience dizziness or vertigo when blowing your nose after sustaining a concussion. This symptom arises because the impact causes inflammation and dysfunction in the delicate balance organs of the inner ear.

Understanding Post-Concussion Vertigo

Many concussion patients develop post-traumatic vertigo as the brain tries to rebalance itself after injury. The vertigo and dizziness result from a mismatch between what your eyes see and inner ear balance sensors detect.

Force from an impact causes swelling, fluid disruption, and inflammation inside the semicircular canals. These fluid-filled tubes detect rotation and orientation of the head. The swelling throws off their sensitivity, making them send abnormal signals to the brain.

Why Dizziness Occurs When Blowing Your Nose

Blowing your nose changes pressure in the head and ears. This further disrupts fluid balances that are already thrown off from the concussion. The distorted signals from the inner ear confuse the brain when combined with normal vision cues. The mixed signals interfere with the brains ability to interpret equilibrium, causing temporary dizziness.

Symptoms of Dizziness When Blowing Nose After Concussion

Common vertigo and imbalance symptoms you may experience when blowing your nose after a concussion include:

• Spinning, whirling sensation (vertigo)
• Feeling pulled to one side or off-balance
• Lightheadedness or wooziness
• Nausea
• Vision disturbances like blurring when turning head
• Difficulty standing or walking straight

Duration of Dizziness and Vertigo After Concussion

For most people, blowing-nose-related dizziness is worst in the first 1-2 weeks after concussion. As inflammation and dysfunction improve, symptoms while nose blowing settle down. However, about 30% of patients do experience persistent dizziness lasting months after injury.

Those with more severe concussions or prior head injuries may also take longer for these equilibrium pathways to heal and vertigo to fully resolve.

Preventing Dizziness When Blowing Nose After a Concussion

While you cannot totally prevent dizziness while your inner ear heals after concussion, you can take some precautions to help minimize symptoms:

• Blow nose very gently, one side at a time
• Avoid leaning head far forward or back while blowing nose
• Brace yourself with a wall or furniture when blowing nose
• Sit down before nose blowing to avoid falling
• Use saline nasal sprays to keep sinuses clearer

It also helps to move your head slowly, stay well hydrated, and take prescribed or over-the-counter medications to reduce head inflammation and swelling.

Seeking Treatment for Ongoing Dizziness

See your doctor promptly if you experience:

• Intense or persistent dizziness/vertigo
• Vomiting or severe nausea
• Difficulty with vision, speech, or walking
• Headaches that worsen

Your physician may prescribe vestibular therapy or anti-dizziness medications if inner ear dysfunction persists longer term.

Underlying Causes of Dizziness When Blowing Nose After Concussion

There are a few key factors that play a role in causing dizziness with nose blowing after a head injury:

Inner Ear Inflammation and Trauma

After concussion, tissues in the semicircular canals often become inflamed and swollen. Delicate hair cells detecting motion may also be damaged from impact forces moving through the skull. This hampers their ability to pick up head rotations and movements properly.

Fluid Imbalances in Inner Ear

The three looping semicircular tubes in the inner ear contain fluid called endolymph. This fluid moves when you turn your head, signaling changes in motion and equilibrium. Concussion can disrupt the volume and flow of this fluid, preventing proper signal transmission.

Mixed Signaling to the Brain

When the injured inner ear sends abnormal signals about head movements, this mismatches what your eyes visually perceive. The mixed signals between these motion-sensing systems overwhelm and confuse the brain circuits that control balance and coordination.

Long Term Effects If Dizziness When Blowing Nose Lingers After Concussion

For most people, blowing-nose-related dizziness resolves along with other post-concussion symptoms as inner ear tissues heal. But if vestibular problems linger longer term, additional complications can arise:

Falls and Injuries

Ongoing dizziness or vertigo increases risks of losing balance, tripping, and falling. Fall injuries like fractures, sprains, or traumatic brain injuries can result. This risk increases in those over age 65.

Difficulties With School, Work, or Caregiving

When dizziness associated with nose blowing lingers for months, it can hinder ability to attend school or perform job duties optimally. Concentration, productivity, and capabilities decline.

Depression and Anxiety

Coping with chronic dizziness takes an emotional toll over time. The sensation deprives people of independence, interests, and can lead to social isolation. Up to 1/3 of those with chronic dizziness develop mood disorders like depression or anxiety.

Permanent Inner Ear Damage

If inner ear concussion damage is more severe, permanent loss of balance function can occur in rare cases. This may require adaptation through rehabilitation and balance aids. Surgery may sometimes help if canal tubes remain obstructed.

Seeking Medical Care for Ongoing Dizziness With Nose Blowing After Concussion

You should follow up promptly with a doctor if you have:

• No improvement in dizziness weeks after concussion
• Worsening intensity or frequency of dizzy episodes
• Onset of new neurological symptoms like vision changes, numbness, severe headaches or nausea

A physician can help identify whether concussion-related inflammation or more serious damage is causing ongoing inner ear dysfunction and dizziness.

Diagnostic Evaluation

Doctors can check for inner ear abnormalities using:

• VNG testing - Measures eye movements in response to inner ear stimulation
• Videonystagmography (VNG) - Tracks nystagmus (repetitive eye motions) caused by vertigo
• Balance assessments - Quantifies walking or balance impairments

Imaging like CT scans or MRIs may also be used to identify if concussive bleeding or damage has occurred in inner ear regions.

Medical Treatment Options

Depending on exam and test findings, doctors may recommend:

• Vestibular therapy - Specialized balance rehabilitation exercises
• Medications - Motion sickness, anti-nausea, or anti-dizziness drugs
• Surgery - Rarely needed procedures to repair or decompress swollen inner ear structures

Working closely with your medical providers can help promote healing and reduce chronic dizziness issues from concussion over the long term.

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.