These days, we are all busy. Sometimes, all of this rushing around comes at the cost of our own health. If you are in an auto accident, you are likely ready for the police report and required exchanges to hurry up so you can be on your way. Often times, you will be too busy to have any desire to go to the doctor to have them check out anything that seems minor to you. However, sometimes being thrown around in a car can cause side-effects that you would not be thinking about. Learn more about how to know what symptoms to check post-accident.
How-to Know What Symptoms to Check Post-Accident: Auto Accident
Head and Neck
After being in an auto accident, there are several symptoms that you do not want to ignore. It is easy to put your health on the back-burner or brush off these symptoms to think they are common, everyday symptoms. In any situation, head injuries can be very serious. Pay attention to how your head is feeling, and make note of these symptoms to check post-accident. For example, pay close attention to headaches. While this seems like a common, unconcerning occurrence, it could actually be a sign of a concussion or something more serious. A concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) could also lead to blurred vision. A sore or neck or shoulders is a symptom of whiplash. This can be diagnosed with an MRI, CT scan or x-rays.
Mid-Body
Other symptoms to check post-accident include pain or swelling in the abdomen or back pain. If you notice pain or swelling in the abdomen, you should be experiencing internal bleeding. Go seek medical care immediately, as this could be life threatening. Also, back pain can be serious too. This could be a sign of damage to the vertebrae, muscles or nerves in your back. Sometimes numbness can be linked to damage to the spinal column as well.
Mental
Be on the lookout for PTSD or personality changes. Many people associate PTSD with war veterans. However, this can also be a symptom of other stressful experiences, like car accidents. Personality changes are another one of the symptoms to check post-accident. In addition to blurred vision, this can be a symptom of a traumatic brain injury.
After being in a car accident, pay attention to how you are feeling. Some symptoms that you may dismiss could actually be serious. In fact, by knowing what symptoms to check post-accident, you may be able to get treatment and care that could actually save your life.