After the car crash, you noticed you had a slight headache. Nothing major. You figured that after exchanging information with the driver who struck your vehicle that you would simply go home, take a couple aspirin or Tylenol, and things would be better in a few hours.
Not so fast. You may have the symptom of a delayed injury – one that starts off slowly and appears manageable and then graduates into something more serious. In this case, perhaps, bleeding on the brain. Be aware of your body and seek medical attention when it needs it.
Lead to more serious injury
The delayed symptom may be the sign of a much more serious injury. Sometimes, you may not even initially notice it.
However, The pain may emerge hours, days, weeks and months after the initial incident. You may wake up in the middle of the night with an excruciating headache or severe back and abdominal pain. In some cases, you may not wake up at all.
Headaches and behavioral changes
Here are some common delayed injury symptoms:
- Headaches: A headache may be the sign of a concussion or traumatic brain injury, leading to memory loss, depression, vision and hearing loss as well as bleeding on the brain. Several weeks of rest and medication may help you.
- Back pain: When a driver strikes your car from behind, you likely will experience some back discomfort. Vertebrae and disc issues may appear, potentially leading to a lifetime of physician and chiropractor visits.
- Abdominal discomfort: With bruising and worsening pain, you may have internal bleeding. Organs such as your heart, lungs, liver and spleen may have sustained damage. Without swift medical treatment, these injuries could prove fatal.
- Tingling and numbness: This symptom usually appears in the arms and legs, representing nerve damage as well as whiplash.
- A change in behavior: Subtle behavioral changes point to a head injury such as a concussion. A personality change also is possible as your kind and gentle aunt transforms into a foul-mouthed, abrasive and unpleasant individual.
Any of these symptoms point to a potentially serious injury.
Do not ignore the signs
You may have a serious injury and not even be aware of it until well after a collision. Understand that these situations are possible. Do not ignore these signs no matter how small or subtle. Seek medical treatment. Your future self will thank you.
