Question
I am 26 and my daughter rolled over and with her hand pushed close to her body weight against the side of my neck.  I am kind of paranoid about injury to the arteries in the neck. SHould I be? I dont know how easy it is to harm them but just concerned.

Answer
Dear Lee Ann,

I would not be too worried about this.  Unless you have some connective tissue disorder previously diagnosed you really don't have anything to worry about.  The body is fairly resilient and you are still young.  The arteries are much tougher and elastic than you think, and can tolerate an appreciable amount pf pressure before becoming compromised. Not to mention that the main arteries are located below the veins and nerves.  If a vessel was to become damaged, the capillaries or veins would be a more likely structure, and this would easily result in visual bruising if severe.

If you have any strange symptoms such as sudden increased dizziness, feeling light-headed or intense headaches that are different than any headache you have had before...then get it checked out immediately.  Otherwise you really should be fine.  Athletes get knocked around on the field/court every day with a tremendous amount of force, and rarely ever have arterial injuries from it.  I wouldn't worry too much about this.  If you are really paranoid, have your Family doctor check it out.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net