6 Types of Late-Appearing Car Accident Injuries
After a car accident, you will look for any injuries to yourself and others. You’ll likely see some scrapes, bruises, or even blood, depending on the accident. But behind that, there are often hidden injuries that can be more serious but may not exhibit symptoms immediately. Because these injuries can be delayed, it is critical you visit a car accident chiropractor as soon as possible following your accident so that you can intervene early and prevent more serious problems down the line. Because of the adrenaline that a car accident can cause, the body may mask symptoms for hours, days, or even weeks. You may also be in shock, which can cause the body to hide pain.
Below are some of the most common hidden injuries from car accidents.
1. Whiplash
Whiplash is probably the injury most associated with car accidents, and for good reason, as it’s extremely common. Even a small impact can cause whiplash as the body keeps moving when your car stops suddenly, causing your head and neck to thrash back and forth rapidly. This hyperextends your neck, causing strains and tears in the soft tissue and throwing your cervical spine out of alignment.
Early signs of whiplash include headaches, neck pain, or stiffness and loss of mobility in the neck.
2. Concussion
Concussions happen when the head hits a hard surface, such as the dashboard or a window. Even if your head doesn’t hit a surface, sudden movement can cause the brain to move inside of the skull, hitting against the hard bone and leading to the mild form of traumatic brain injury. Some concussions will cause you to lose consciousness on impact, but most do not, meaning you may not know it has occurred right away.
Signs of a concussion include headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, cognitive impairment, and nausea or vomiting.
3. Spine Injuries
The spine is complex and fragile, leading to many injuries as a result of accidents. Any area of the spine can be damaged, with some injuries being severe and leading to consequences like paralysis. Other spinal injuries can be minor and not display symptoms until long after your accident has occurred. Things like a herniated disc can appear later once your body has calmed down. However, some injuries can be more serious, like swelling in the spinal cord, and need to be caught immediately.
Be on the lookout for limb weakness, back pain, and balance problems as indications that your spine was damaged.
4. Internal Bleeding
Seat belts can save your life, but in some cases, they can also cause injuries. The pressure of a seat belt on your abdomen can cause trauma to the organs that you can’t see or feel. Your ribs, liver, kidneys, lungs, and heart can all be impacted. One common issue is internal bleeding, an invisible condition that can be life-threatening if not identified quickly.
Internal bleeding could be a concern if you experience abdominal pain, blood in the urine or stool, difficulty breathing, or dizziness.
5. Blood Clots
Blood clots themselves can be common, often resolving without any notice. However, if a blood clot reaches the brain or the heart, it can be dangerous or even fatal. Car accidents can cause a blood clot or dislodge an existing one, causing it to travel to these locations.
When clots are in the brain, headaches can be a common sign and are likely to occur well after the initial impact.
6. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
While it’s not a physical injury, PTSD is a serious condition that car accident victims are likely to suffer from due to the trauma. Without treatment, PTSD can persist for months and lead to poor mental health, as well as placing stress on the body because of the trauma experienced. The shock and fear involved can lead you to tense up, causing spinal issues in addition to the mental toll.
Depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares about your accident are all signs of PTSD.
By visiting a broomfield chiropractor immediately, they will be able to look for these common injuries and implement treatment plans before you experience pain, preventing further suffering and worsening injuries. Even if you feel perfectly fine following an accident, seek care right away to rule out serious concerns.