Regardless of how severe an accident is, injuries might only be visible a few days or weeks after the accident. Some injuries, even if you can’t see them, get worse if you don’t get them treated. To know whether or not you’re suffering from delayed injuries from a car accident, here are some signs to watch out for:
Headaches after the accident : You might have gotten headaches in the past, but a headache after a car accident might reveal something more serious.
- Blood clot
- Concussion
- Head or brain injury
- Neck injury
- Whiplash
You might think that you have a stress headache from the accident. While this may be true, you should also consider the possible injuries associated with your headaches. Just because you didn’t hit your head during the accident doesn’t mean that your headaches aren’t link to the injuries you’ve sustained.
Neck and shoulder pain from the crash : Pain in the neck and the shoulders are often the telltale signs of a whiplash. Some can experience these signs right after the crash while some might experience it days later. If you notice pain in your neck and shoulders, schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. You might need to undergo X-ray and other imaging tests to diagnose your injuries. Aside from whiplash, neck pain can also be a symptom of a spinal injury, namely herniated discs in the cervical spine.
Abdominal pain : Abdominal pain or swelling after the accident can mean internal bleeding. Aside from the abdominal pain, you should also look out for these signs to determine if you’re suffering from internal bleeding:
- Deep bruises and purplish skin
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness
Internal injuries can go unnoticed for a couple of days or weeks after a car accident. These can be life-threatening when left untreated.
Back pain : Lower back pain is another delayed side effect of whiplash, sprain, strain, and herniated discs. When you feel any of these, it could be a sign of damage to your ligaments, muscles, and even to your vertebrae.
Numbness, tingling or weakness in the limbs : If you suffered a herniated disc from the accident, it might cause other symptoms – some of which could affect your limbs. A herniated disc can put pressure on certain spinal nerves of your body, which might cause symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness in your arms, hands, and legs.
An X-ray and other imaging tests might be necessary. Identifying the injury would allow doctors to begin treatment in order to minimize the symptoms.
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other emotional symptoms : People who are involved in a car accident might suffer psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, or
PTSD. The memories of a near-fatal car accident can be the reason for your sleepless night, thinking patterns, and stress. These kinds of symptoms can progress as an outcome of the accident itself or as result of the injuries you’ve sustained from the accident. Regardless of the reasons for the symptoms, you should seek help for your mental health right away. Don’t let these symptoms worsen and lead to permanent damages.
Your happy-go-lucky personality might fade. This can be related to a head injury. Personality changes might also include changes in your behavior, difficulty in controlling your emotions just to name a few.
Once you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s best that you seek medical help right away. Don’t think that these signs are normal; your body is telling you something.The earlier you seek medical attention for your injuries, the easier for you to get yourself treated.
In conclusion
Never assume that you’re okay after a car accident. Yes, you might be able to return to work or meet your responsibilities at home, but these shouldn’t stop you from being aware of your body or health. Some injuries will actually take days to show up. If you’ve checked one or more signs from the list presented above, act immediately. Don’t let these injuries become detrimental to your long-term health.
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