After a car accident, it is quite common to feel shocked, feel confused, and at times, you might even not notice being injured. There is a large variety of post-car accident symptoms that can take days or even weeks to manifest. Although you might feel okay after the accident, some important symptoms should certainly be taken seriously. Keep reading to find out the 6 delayed symptoms you need to look for in a car accident.
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Headaches are extremely common
Considered one of the most common symptoms following a car accident, Headaches can certainly be a cause of concern. Although you might not experience pain or discomfort straightway it might manifest up the following morning, or days or even weeks following the accident. You can experience headaches for several reasons, such as vision issues, or even tension headaches. A variety of reasons exist for headaches after a car accident, some of which are
Tension
Dealing with the post-trivialities following a car accident can be quite an overwhelming task. There are insurance claims that need to be filed, car repairs to be looked after, expenses such as medical bills, and repair bills to be filled. With such a lot going on it is quite common to develop a tension headache.
Concussion
A concussion is a very serious medical condition and requires immediate attention from a healthcare professional. Following is a list of symptoms that can start from a concussion
- Blurred vision
- Nausea or fatigue
- Being extra sensitive to light or noise triggers
- Changes in mood, sleep patterns, and even appetite
Concussions can cause long-term effects that can be certainly a cause for concern.
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Whiplash
For most whiplash symptoms can be the same as a concussion. The sudden movement or force can cause the muscles and tendons in your neck to stretch beyond their limit.
Your body’s ligaments, joints, nerves, and even spinal discs can also be injured during a car accident. While you may not feel the pain immediately after you settle back into your routine you might feel discomfort or even experience neck pain after a car accident.
Some other symptoms of Whiplash include
- lightheadedness
- exhaustion
- pain in your shoulders, neck, or head
- sore muscles
- hazy or double-vision
- limited mobility
Although whiplash can often take some time to be diagnosed. You should be aware of all the possible symptoms to look out for.
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Neck and shoulder pain
Neck pain after a car accident is something very common and a lot of people complain about it. The neck and shoulder can manifest for a couple of reasons.
- anxiety and tension
- damage to the nerves
- injury to the muscles, tendons
- Severe tissue damage
Neck and shoulder pain are amongst the most frequently complained about symptoms. Car accident-delayed symptoms stem from whiplash, concussions, and serious concerns that you should never ignore under any circumstances.
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Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
Loss of appetite isn’t something unheard of about symptoms that follow a car accident. This can be caused because of a variety of reasons, such as stress, stomach issues, or mood changes such as anxiety and depression.
If you feel like you’re eating pattern isn’t what it used to be, then it is advisable to consult with your health care professional. They will look into your problem in detail and maybe even refer you to a nutritionist, who will de able to help you get your appetite back to normal.
On the other hand, emotional or stress eating can also be another symptom that stems from the affects of a car accident. If you feel that you are struggling with eating too much and not being able to control yourself, talk to someone that you trust such as close family and friends. Someone that you believe will be able to help you process those emotions more healthily. If you feel your problem is much more severe then you should consider talking to a professional.
Problems in sleeping such as interrupted sleep, insomnia or even pain in your sleep, nightmares, and night terrors can also affect your sleep and disrupt your whole day.
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Discoloration or bruising on the skin
Bruises resulting from a car accident might not show immediately. It can take anything from a few hours to even several days for blood to seep from your broken vessel to the surface of your skin. There is even a chance that you might have bruised your internal organs, tissue, and even bones but these might not show up immediately and take some time to resurface.
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The feeling of Stiffness or experience Swelling
Feeling as if your body is stiff or experiencing swelling is also counted amongst the common symptoms a person experiences after a car accident, although it may take anything from hours to days for their symptoms to develop. Sprained or pulled muscles as well as damaged tissues when starting to heal can cause the surrounding area to swell up. This can cause mild or extreme discomfort, depending on the type of injury. The swelling can also result in stiffness in that particular area and even limit your ability to move.
To deal with these issues, you might even need to consult a physiotherapist or chiropractor.
Conclusion
After a car accident, you have to make sure that you pay extra notice to note down any delayed symptoms that you or others included in the accident you experience. Even if the symptoms don’t become obvious immediately after the accident. Protecting and making sure that both you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe is the most crucial thing you need to look after following an accident. This not only means seeking medical attention but looking for good and practical legal advice is also pivotal in case of an accident.
