[18F] Experiencing head pressure when chewing following head trauma

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, you might be experiencing the following:

• Concussion: This is a type of traumatic brain injury that's caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull. Symptoms can include headaches, pressure in the head, temporary loss of consciousness, confusion or feeling as if in a fog, amnesia surrounding the traumatic event, dizziness, and nausea.

  • Treatment usually involves rest and restricting activities to allow the brain to recover. This means one must temporarily reduce sports, video games, TV, or too much socializing. If symptoms do not improve, a healthcare professional should be consulted.

• Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ): This condition causes pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement. The exact cause of a person's TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination of factors, such as genetics, arthritis or jaw injury. Some people who have jaw pain also tend to clench or grind their teeth, but many people habitually clench their teeth and never develop TMJ disorders.

  • Treatment of TMJ disorders might involve a range of strategies including pain management, medication, physical therapy, and in some cases surgery.

What you can do

You should definitely see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. They may want to perform imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI, to check for any damage to your brain or jaw. In the meantime, you can:

1. Rest and avoid activities that might worsen your symptoms.
2. Apply a cold pack to the bruised area for 15 minutes at a time to reduce swelling.
3. Avoid foods that require a lot of chewing, stick to a soft diet to help ease the pressure in your head when you chew.

What you should look out for

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Worsening headache
• Slurred speech
• Loss of coordination
• Persistent vomiting
• Seizures
• Unusual behavior changes
• Difficulty waking up

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've given me. It's always important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.