It’s essential to seek medical attention after a car accident, especially if you experience any symptoms such as headaches. This could indicate a more severe injury, and early detection and treatment are crucial for a successful recovery.
Injury Medicine in Anderson, SC, provides effective treatments for headaches and other injuries caused by car accidents, including whiplash and concussion.
The skilled healthcare specialists at Injury Medicine utilize minimally invasive medical treatments that can help you recover quickly and get back to your daily life. Don’t suffer from headache pain after a car accident.
Contact Injury Medicine today at 864-866-PAIN to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help.
What Are Some Common Reasons, Types, & Symptoms for Headaches After Accident-Related Injuries?
Below is an overview of the reasons for headaches after a car accident and the main types of accident-related head injuries.
Reasons:
There are several reasons you may suffer from headaches after a car wreck. The most common reasons include:
- Trauma resulting from a direct blow to the head. E.g., when bumping your head on the window, steering wheel, or another object in the car. Just the impact alone of bumping your head into an object can lead to constant head throbbing.
- Muscle injuries such as strains, tears, and spasms in the neck or upper back.
- Fractures of the skull and/or spine.
- Bulges of the spine or disc herniations
It’s essential to get a proper diagnosis for your head injury to determine the appropriate treatment plan. At Injury Medicine in Anderson, SC, our specialists have experience diagnosing and treating different types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraines, post-traumatic headaches, and more.
We also understand that head uneasiness can be a symptom of other injuries sustained during an auto accident, such as whiplash or a concussion. That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to care and tailor our treatment plans to each patient’s specific needs.
Post-Traumatic Stress Headaches
Post-traumatic headaches can occur after a traumatic event, such as a car accident or fall, where the neck or head is impacted. These injuries can cause neck pain that travels upwards.
The onset of post-traumatic headaches can be delayed by hours or days, as the body may initially be in shock and producing adrenaline. If you experience any symptoms of post-traumatic headaches after an injury, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly to properly diagnose and treat the condition.
Spasm Headaches/Muscle Strain Headaches
Spasm/muscle strain headaches can occur due to trauma or non-traumatic events. These types of contusions develop when the muscles in the head, neck, or upper back are injured or strained.
A car accident, for example, can cause significant impact to the head, neck, or upper back, resulting in soft tissue damage or tearing that leads to muscle spasms or strains.
Individuals with muscle strains may experience tenderness, swelling, or redness in the affected muscle and discomfort while performing specific head or neck movements.
Concussion Headaches
Concussion headaches develop due to brain injuries caused by a sudden blow or violent jolt that shakes the brain.
In addition, A concussion can cause symptoms such as light and sound sensitivity, nausea, dizziness, confusion, ringing in the ears, and memory loss.
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.
Fracture Headaches
Fracture headaches can occur when one of the seven neck bones or the skull is fractured. These injuries can be severe and long-lasting, starting at the back of the head or neck and radiating upward.
Although a fracture injury may indicate a localized injury, they can also be a sign of a brain injury. Symptoms of a fracture may include confusion, nausea, slurred speech, stiff neck, and in some cases, seizures.
It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms after an injury.
Whiplash Headaches
This injury occurs when the soft tissue, muscles, or ligaments in the neck or shoulders get strained or damaged by a sudden back and forth motion of the neck or head. The pain caused by whiplash manifests at the base of the skull.
It can be accompanied by other symptoms, including visual disturbances, stiffness, pain, fatigue, dizziness, memory, and concentration problems.
Pinched Nerve Headaches
Spinal injuries, such as herniated discs or compression of the spine, can occur during an auto accident and lead to compression of spinal nerves at their root. As a result, the affected person may experience irritation of the greater occipital nerve or pinching of the upper cervical nerve roots.
These conditions are often accompanied by pain, numbness, tenderness, tingling, and burning sensation at the back of the skull.
What do I do Following an Accident or Injury?
It is essential not to ignore symptoms or injuries after a car accident, regardless of when they start – whether immediately or a few days later. These injuries could be an indication of a more severe injury, such as TBI, which may not have been diagnosed yet.
Seeking prompt medical attention can help in identifying and treating any underlying injuries and may also help you obtain compensation if you are owed it.
Follow these steps if you experience a head injury after a car accident:
- Get examined by an experienced accident injury doctor near you immediately.
- Don’t wait or try to tough it out.
- Follow pain management and treatment recommendations.
- Know and assert your injury rights.
Call Injury Medicine to Get Relief From Headaches in Anderson, SC!
It’s crucial to take all injuries after a car accident seriously, as ignoring them can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening brain damage. Even if you think you can tough it out, it’s essential to seek medical attention right away.
At Injury Medicine in Anderson, SC, our team of expert specialists is available 24/7 to provide consultations, thorough evaluations, and personalized treatment plans for various types of headaches. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 864-866-PAIN to schedule an appointment and get the help you need.
