Head and neck injuries after a car accident are moderately common. Even with the assistance of airbags, the momentum involved in sudden braking, impact, or other violent motions can cause damage to this extremely vital area of the body. While you should always seek immediate medical care in case of brain injury after a car accident, here is a short list of some of the most common injuries and their symptoms.
Concussion
A mild form of brain injury, a concussion is caused when the brain is shaken inside the skull. Symptoms can include disorientation, sleepiness, headache, changes in mood, impaired vision, nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. While concussion usually are not serious, the condition should be closely monitored to look for more serious signs such as nasal and aural blood or drainage, uneven pupil size, confusion, and difficulty moving. At home care, once the patient is confirmed to not be worsening, usually involves resting, avoiding reading, etc.
Whiplash
Another condition that can cause headaches, whiplash is a painful condition usually in the soft tissues of the neck, such as the muscles and ligaments. Other symptoms can include a stiff neck, sore muscles in the shoulders, pain when turning the head, numbness or tingling which may or may not spread down one arm. As whiplash can also involve damage to the spinal cord, once again a doctor should inspect your neck to diagnose any serious damage before it becomes worse. Neck braces, painkillers, and a visit to the chiropractor can all help deal with non-serious cases.
Mental and Emotional Trauma
Often overlooked, the psychological strain of a serious accident can also manifest itself in the case of headaches, usually tension ones that hurt at the back of the head. Stress related headaches can worsen other kinds of headache due to sleeplessness, dehydration, or brain injury, but can be aided with rest and therapy.
