Unfortunately, being involved in an auto accident can often result in injury. Many people frequently receive chiropractic treatment due to damage or injury from an automobile accident regardless of the severity. Whiplash, a type of injury caused by a sudden jerk of the head in any direction, is the most commonly diagnosed injury occurring during an auto accident but, as frequently as these occur, head injuries are also common types of injuries resulting from these unexpected circumstances.
A head injury can be identified as any type of trauma to the
brain, skull, or scalp. These can range from a mild bump or bruise to a severe
brain injury. The most common head injuries include skull fractures or a
concussion. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that may alter the normal
function of the brain. Concussions aren’t only caused by a direct impact to the
head but occasionally, sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head, such as
that during an automobile accident, or violent shaking of the head and upper
body can also cause a head injury. The level of severity of a concussion can
range from minor to severe injury but they can all temporarily interfere with
the way the brain functions. These can affect memory, reflexes, coordination, judgment,
speech, and balance.
The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and,
while concussions can cause a loss of consciousness, a large majority do not.
Due to this, many people might have experienced a concussion as a result of an
auto accident or other type of accident and they might not even be aware it
occurred. The signs and symptoms of this type of head injury may not appear
until a couple of hours or days after the injury and once present these can
last for days, weeks, or longer. The signs and symptoms of a concussion may
include: confusion, amnesia, headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nausea
or vomiting, slurred speech, and fatigue. Other signs and symptoms include:
memory or concentration problems, sensitivity to light and noise, sleep
disturbances, irritability, and depression. After being involved in an accident
it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention for a proper diagnosis of
any further complications.
Understanding Mild Brain Injury
Properly healing head injuries require time, patience, and
plenty of rest. A large majority of concussions resulting from automobile
accidents or sports injuries, are considered mild and individuals who’ve
experienced them can usually recover fully from them. Over the counter
acetaminophen is often used for headaches and it’s important not to use
ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, as these type
of medications can increase the risk of bleeding.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
