The vast majority of cities in the United States and in our great State of Arizona are highly car-dependent. It’s for this reason that it is no surprise that numerous car accidents occur every single day. While some car accidents involve fatalities and serious injuries, some drivers and passengers leave the scene feeling that they are lucky and have been relatively unharmed. However, it is possible for symptoms to occur days, weeks, or even months after the accident. In this article, we’re focusing on 5 symptoms you should be on the lookout for after an auto accident.
Abdominal Pain is a very concerning symptom as it could indicate internal bleeding. Further, if you have any large areas of deep purple bruising, fainting spells, or feel dizzy, these could be symptoms as well. It is not uncommon for internal bleeding to go undiscovered for several hours or days after an auto accident. It is important to understand that internal bleeding is a life-threatening condition. If you suspect that you’re suffering from internal bleeding, it is of vital importance that you receive urgent treatment from emergency personnel.
Numbness can indicate Whiplash Associated Disorder. While many people think that whiplash always causes shoulder pain or neck pain, it is important to realize that this isn’t always the cause. Numbness, which is defined as a lack of sensation or a tingling feeling, can indicate damage to the nerves of the spinal column. When diagnosing whiplash, the type of auto accident is also taken into consideration. For example, an estimated 1 in 5 people who are the victims of a rear-end car accident suffers from whiplash, though oftentimes the symptoms are delayed.
Neck and Shoulder Pain is another symptom to be on the lookout for following an auto accident, as this is yet another key sign of whiplash and one of the most commonly experienced injuries due to an auto accident. While some car accident victims will experience neck and shoulder pain right away, for others, these symptoms can take days or even longer to kick in. If you begin to notice neck and shoulder pain symptoms, a thorough and accurate diagnosis such as the one we provide rapidly here at the Stridewell Same-Day Spine Clinic is absolutely essential.
Read More: Shoulder Injury from Car Accident: How to Treat It
Headaches are one of the single most common symptoms reported following an auto accident. While many may be normal due to stress and tension following a traumatic event, others indicate much more serious problems such as blood clots in the brain, a concussion, or a serious head or neck injury. If you are experiencing headaches following an auto accident, getting treatment from a doctor is recommended. If any type of spine-related pain is accompanying your headaches, we encourage you to come in and get diagnosed by our Spine Specialists. On the other hand, if you hit your head in an auto accident, have headaches that affect your vision or mental functioning, or are experiencing head swelling, be sure to seek emergency medical care immediately.
General Back Pain can commence in the hours, days, or weeks following your car accident. This type of common symptom can be indicative of a spinal injury, a sprain, whiplash, a soft tissue injury, or a herniated disc. It is important to point out that if you are experiencing any tingling or numbness along with your back pain, this may be the result of a pinched nerve. While the symptoms and severity will vary from person to person, all back pain following an auto accident is serious in that it could begin to cause severe pain, interrupt your daily activities, and cause issues with mobility. When experiencing general back pain following a car wreck, do not delay in getting treatment from a Spine Specialist as soon as possible.
If you’re experiencing any potentially life-threatening symptoms following an auto accident, call 911. If your symptoms are non-life-threatening and related to the spine, please know that our Spine Specialists are here to help. For your convenience, our Stridewell Same-Day Spine Clinic is open every single day, including Saturday and Sunday. We also offer evening appointments. While walk-ins are welcome, we do recommend appointments. Stridewell Tips
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