Whiplash and concussions are two of the most common injuries that can occur when someone receives a blow to their head, whether it’s from an impact with another person or an object like a wall or the floor.
While whiplash involves neck pain and muscle spasms, concussion symptoms include everything from headaches to blurred vision to dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, disorientation, memory loss and personality changes. If you think someone you know may have suffered either one of these injuries recently, here are some signs to watch out for:
Headache
If you have a headache following a concussion, it can also indicate that you are reacting to the injury in some way. The most common type of headache is a mild one in the front of your head. The rest of your body is pain-free. Walking around doesn't make your headache worse. It's not gradual, but as if something has suddenly struck you. There is usually no slurring or gagging involved when you speak. You should see your doctor if you have a headache. If your doctor determines that you have a brain injury, they will refer you to an urgent care facility where they will monitor for worsening symptoms.
Balance Issues
You are also likely to suffer from balance problems as a result of a concussion if you are dizzy or lightheaded. Other symptoms that may influence your balance include nausea, headaches, and sensitivity to light. Most people experience balance problems for a few days or weeks after an injury or accident, but some people have them for months afterward.
Confusion/Severe Dizziness
A concussion is one of the most common injuries for athletes and may cause confusion, dizziness, and lightheadedness. For some people, these symptoms may last for more than one day and that is what may need immediate medical attention. If you are hit by a car while riding a bike or playing sports, you may have some confusion as soon as you get up from the collision. Learn more on what you can do about dizziness here.
Nausea/Vomiting
If you have a concussion, you may experience nausea. This is due to trauma to the head affecting the vestibular system in your inner ear, causing feelings of vertigo or dizziness. There is also the risk that you may experience vomiting or stomach cramps.
Vomiting is another common symptom of concussion and it generally happens within the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury. This can be more severe than typical morning sickness or motion sickness and may involve regurgitation of recently eaten food with nausea and abdominal pain.
Disorientation/Memory Loss
Memory problems are common among those who have sustained a concussion, but how extensive these problems are varies from person to person. Some people will experience only mild memory lapses for a few days after an injury, while others will have long-term retention issues that can last for weeks or months after the injury. It's crucial to document any changes in your memory so that you can inform your physician of it if the changes persist beyond what is considered normal.
Sensitivity to Light, Loud Sounds, and Changes in Weather
It is possible for someone to be sensitive to noise, light, and other sensory stimuli after a concussion because the brain may have been damaged. As a result of your concussion, you may also experience headaches or blurred vision if you are sensitive to noise or light.
Sleep Issues/Feeling Tired
In addition to fatigue, irritability, and cognitive impairment, concussions can disrupt sleep patterns for up to one week after the event. Getting enough rest after a concussion is vital because the lack of sleep after a concussion can increase the risk of depression. As with other injuries, work injuries or sports injuries will not get better without rest.
Personal injury or injury that happens in your own home is just as important as any other injury so take care of yourself and call us if you are having trouble getting better! If you have been injured at work or while playing sports, please contact a personal injury attorney to help you obtain the compensation and assistance needed for recovery.
When you experience a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, including a car accident where you experienced whiplash, we can guide you through the process. We know what it takes to successfully recover from a serious work injury or sports injury like a concussion, which may include medical treatment, legal representation, therapy, and medication.
Conclusion
We want to be your advocate throughout the entire process so that you feel safe knowing that we're working hard on your behalf. Your health is our priority - the sooner you reach out to an attorney about your work injury or sports injury, the sooner we can start helping you move forward. Give our offices a call today for more information about how we handle cases involving sports injuries and work injuries. You don't need to suffer anymore; call us today for immediate help! Related Reads: Understand the Effects of a Concussion
With these tell-tale signs of a concussion, you should immediately seek medical attention. This will ensure any damage caused by the concussion is limited to ensure recovery. Recovery times after suffering from a concussion are normally four weeks but if not properly treated they may last longer than necessary. Seeking medical attention right away can limit the extent of the damage done. Make sure to speak with an expert lawyer who knows how to navigate through this complicated area of law in order to make sure you receive all that is owed to you after suffering a personal injury. Working with an attorney ensures that you'll be able to focus on recovering rather than navigating the complicated maze of laws surrounding work injuries and sports injuries.
If you or someone you know has suffered from whiplash as a result of an accident, we are here for you. You will never be left in harms way so long as you call us for assistance. Working with an attorney can ensure that you'll receive all that is owed to you after suffering a personal injury. Contact us today and find out if we can help you get on the road to recovery! Remember that contacting us is free and easy. There's no obligation when contacting us, so take the first step toward living a life free from personal injury worries by filling out our contact form today!
