A car accident can be such an incredibly stressful experience even if you aren’t injured. If you have been injured, then you not only have to take care of your physical health and well-being but also manage your mental health as well. In addition to dealing with auto mechanics and filling out car insurance paperwork, you also have to manage how an injury from a car accident has impacted your ability to go about your day. It is vital that you get the quality care and treatment you need in order to successfully heal from your injury and get back to your regular schedule and routine. While you might be tempted to wait and see if the pain goes away on its own, you run the risk of developing chronic pain that could be with you for the rest of your life. Visit a car accident doctor after you have been in a wreck to get checked out as soon as possible so you can avoid an injury getting worse.
How a Car Accident May Negatively Affect You
Stress
Car accidents are stressful for everyone, no matter whether it was a small fender-bender with minimal damage or a multi-vehicle wreck with multiple injuries. A car accident is a traumatic experience and can cause your body to be flooded with adrenaline in the immediate aftermath. The adrenaline can actually prevent you from fully recognizing that you have been injured and you might think you are all right when, in fact, the signs and symptoms have been disguised. This is similar to bumping your leg against a table and getting a bruise; it takes time for the bruise to appear before you fully realize what has happened.
Pain
In addition to the emotional stress of the accident, your body was likely under physical stress as well. This can translate as pain and discomfort in the immediate aftermath as well as days and even weeks after the car accident. If you experience any kind of pain after a car accident, you want to see a car accident doctor as soon as possible as this is a sign that something isn’t quite right. Whether you have headaches, stiffness and soreness in your neck, or bruising and swelling that develops over time, you want to discuss this pain with a doctor who can diagnose the problem and provide treatment for your pain and injuries.
Fatigue
Car accidents can also cause you to feel extremely tired and fatigued afterward. Once the adrenaline has worn off, you might find yourself ready to take a nap or sleep for a bit. Your body does its best work and healing when you are asleep, and sometimes the fatigue is a sign that you have an injury that needs tending to. Excessive tiredness and fatigue after an accident can also be a sign of serious injuries like head trauma and internal injuries, so you want to get checked out by a doctor as soon as you can.
How to Take Care of Yourself After a Car Accident
Thankfully, there are many ways you can take care of yourself after a car accident. Here are just three examples of how you can practice self-care and help promote healing.
Make time to rest intentionally
Whether or not you experienced excessive tiredness and fatigue after the accident, your body does need time to rest after such a traumatic event. Whenever your body has been full of adrenaline like that, it needs time to come down from that and get back to normal functioning again. Resting also allows your body to address any swelling or inflammation. Making time to intentionally rest afterward will also help support your healing and recovery.
Stay healthy and hydrated
The stress of the car accident can keep you distracted from things like drinking a glass of water and eating a regular meal. Be sure to stay hydrated, which provides your body with the water and nutrients necessary to keep things functioning properly. Practicing healthy eating habits will also allow your body to get the nutrients it needs to continue healing.
See a car accident doctor
Car accident doctors specialize in treating these types of accident injuries that can be traumatic and affect your whole body. AICA Orthopedics has multiple locations across metro Atlanta with car accident doctors who are highly knowledgeable and skilled in providing you with quality care from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.