Concussion Basics: Should I See A Car Accident Doctor?

If you were recently in an automobile crash and are experiencing head pain, you may be wondering if you need to visit a car accident doctor to be evaluated for a possible concussion.  Every year, hundreds of thousands of people get a concussion, either from a fall, playing sports, being in an accident, or being hit by a falling object.

What you might not realize is that you don’t necessarily have to sustain a serious impact to get a concussion. Something as simple as bumping into a low-hanging tree branch can cause one. Concussions are serious injuries and can cause a lot of problems if left untreated. Read below to learn more about this injury, how to recognize the signs and symptoms, and when you should visit a car accident doctor:

What Is a Concussion?

Classified by medical professionals as a mild traumatic brain injury, a concussion is caused by a bump or blow to your head. Head bumps cause sudden, intense movements, and can result in the brain shifting in the skull. This unnatural movement can damage brain cells and can cause chemical changes and imbalances in the brain.

Even if the head is not directly impacted, a serious jolt to the body can cause a concussion if the impact caused the head to jerk backward or forwards.

While a concussion is not usually considered to be life-threatening, the side effects associated with this type of injury can be serious and can last for weeks or even months. If you have been in an accident, it is highly recommended to visit a car accident doctor immediately to see if you have a concussion.

What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

 

It’s important to know and understand the signs and symptoms of a concussion. While no treatment exists to completely cure a concussion, knowing if you have this type of injury is the first step to remedying the situation. In extreme cases, permanent brain damage can occur if the injury is never recognized, and you do not seek medical treatment from a car accident doctor. In less severe cases, leaving the injury untreated can lead to problems with thinking, learning, or memory.

Occasionally, there are immediate signs that you have a concussion. Some of these symptoms include:

• Losing consciousness

• Intense head pain

• Dizziness

• Difficulty standing or walking

• Confusion

• Severe nausea

• Extreme sleepiness

• Seizures (in extreme cases)

What Are Signs of a Concussion That May Be Overseen?

While symptoms of concussions can sometimes be severe, occasionally, the signs are subtle and first emerge weeks or even months after a concussion. If you have been in an accident in recent months, you will want to watch for these subtle signs that you may have sustained a concussion:

• Persistent headache

• Difficulty concentrating

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Trouble sleeping

• Vision problems

How Is a Concussion Diagnosed?

You will need to visit a medical professional to receive an affirmative concussion diagnosis. It is a good idea to visit a car accident doctor if you suspect you have a concussion, even if your symptoms are mild. During the exam, the doctor will check for physical signs, thinking capabilities, and mood symptoms such as irritability to see if your head trauma is due to a concussion.

A doctor may diagnose you with a skull fracture, which has similar symptoms to a concussion.

Your doctor might want to order a CT scan or MRI to see if there is bleeding occurring inside the skull. However, keep in mind these tests cannot show all of the injuries caused by a concussion.

Can I Prevent Concussions?

While concussions can never be completely prevented, there are things you can do that may reduce your risks. When operating a vehicle, always wear a seat belt and ensure children are buckled into safety seats. Always abide by speed limits and drive with caution in extreme weather and terrain.

Wear a high-quality helmet that has been properly fitted when biking, skating, skiing, riding a motorcycle, or playing certain contact sports such as football. Your helmet should be secure at all times. It is too big if it moves from side to side when you shake your head. However, the helmet may be too small if it feels uncomfortably tight against your scalp.

Ensure your home is equipped with certain materials to help reduce the risk of falls. Ensure all stairs are equipped with sturdy handrails. Make sure to install safety gates on stairs if you have young children and put safety guards on all windows to prevent falls.

Contact CityWide Injury To See a Car Accident Doctor

Have you been injured in a car accident in Houston and want to be evaluated to see if you have a concussion? Contact CityWide Injury & Accident to be evaluated by an auto injury doctor today.

 

 

Concussion Basics: Should I See A Car Accident Doctor? | City Wide Injury & Accident – Houston, TX