A head injury can be a very scary experience, especially when your doctor talks to you about things like a traumatic brain injury. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs with a blow to the head or a severe shaking of the head. One type of car accident injury is a concussion, and it can cause uncomfortable symptoms that should be taken very seriously. That is why you should always visit a car accident doctor after a car accident, even if you are only experiencing a headache or some mild discomfort. Symptoms of a concussion can gradually appear in the hours after the accident occurred, and you want to make sure you get checked out by a professional as soon as possible to rule out a potential head trauma like a concussion.
How Can a Car Accident Lead to a Concussion?
Unfortunately, there are many ways you can get a concussion from being in a car accident. Whether you are the driver or a passenger in the vehicle, the force of impact can cause your head and neck to get jostled around violently. You may even hit your head on part of the vehicle, like the steering wheel, window, or dashboard. A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury that can affect the functioning of your brain. It is possible for a head injury to cause bruising, blood vessel damage, and nerve damage that can all impact the brain. A concussion after a car accident can be tricky to diagnose, and it may take days for you to fully experience all the symptoms of a concussion. Physical symptoms of a concussion include headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, balance problems, and sensitivity to light and noise. Mental and emotional symptoms can include confusion, irritability, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.
What Is Post-Concussive Syndrome After a Car Accident?
If you sustained a head injury during a car accident, then it is possible to develop post-concussive syndrome as you recover from the accident. Post-concussive syndrome does not always occur if you suffer a head injury, though it is more common to develop post-concussive syndrome if you have previously experienced head injuries like multiple concussions in the past. Certain people are more susceptible to developing post-concussive syndrome, such as children, women, and older adults. People with a history of headaches are also more prone to developing post-concussion syndrome after a head injury. Because a history of headaches is a common risk factor for post-concussive syndrome after you’ve been in a car accident, you may not realize the signs and symptoms right away. However, your car accident doctor can keep an eye out for the risk factors and signs of post-concussive syndrome so you can get the appropriate treatment.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Concussions vs. Post-Concussive Syndrome
Car accident doctors have a lot of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of both concussions and post-concussive syndrome. Both of these conditions are also common with sports injuries and workplace injuries like a slip and fall where you suffer a blow to the head. There are several diagnostic tests available to help your car accident doctor determine the appropriate diagnosis for your head injury after a car accident. They may want to run some combination of X-rays, CT scans, and nerve tests depending on your symptoms. Your car accident doctor will then develop a treatment plan to address your concussion diagnosis so you can start experiencing relief from pain and other symptoms as soon as possible. If you have a history of traumatic brain injuries, your car accident doctor will also want to monitor you for post-concussive syndrome as you recover from the car accident. While some mild cases of a concussion may simply require rest and monitoring, if you have previously experienced a concussion, then your doctor will want to know if you experience headaches, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, as well as cognitive and emotional symptoms like irritability, depression, and trouble with concentration and memory.
If you are concerned about a possible concussion after a car accident, then don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of car accident doctors near you at AICA Orthopedics in Tucker.