Whiplash is a neck injury due to fast and sudden backward and forward movement of the neck. It usually consists of multiple injuries, including damage to the connective tissues, nerves, spine, muscles, ligaments, and spinal discs. Sometimes, whiplash can result in brain injuries and need immediate care near you.
Whiplash and traumatic brain injury do not necessarily need a physical blow to the head. It means it can be from any situation where the head moves in any direction suddenly-froward, backward, or sideways. People usually link whiplash injuries to automobile accidents, mainly front-end vehicle mishaps.
Even one research has proved that whiplash can cause injury to the cervical spine and are also at risk of traumatic brain injury(TBI). The symptoms of TBI may fail to occur instantly after the injury. Each case of whiplash injury is unique and needs special care. Accurate diagnoses will help the professional determine broken bones and other damage that can cause or make signs worse.
Signs of Whiplash
Below are the most common symptoms of whiplash injury:
- Stiffness and pain in the neck.
- Dizziness.
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the arms.
- Loss of motion in the neck.
- Pain or tenderness in the arms, upper back, or shoulders.
- Fatigue.
- Headache, mainly starting at the base of the skull.
- Pain gets worse while moving the neck.
- Depression
- Reduced sleep quality
- Tinnitus
- Blurry vision
- Memory issues
- Difficulty to concentrate
- Irritation
What Are the Reasons for Whiplash and Brain Injury?
Whiplash injury can be due to:
- Contact sports injuries like football tackles.
- Physical abuse or assault.
- Fall accidents.
- Vehicle crashes.
- Amusement park ride injuries.
- Battery or horse riding accidents.
- Sudden hit to the neck or body with a heavy object.
- Other violent accidents.
What Happens When Brain Damage from Whiplash Gone Unnoticed?
When whiplash occurs, brain injuries are common. Brain injury can happen without or with a direct blow to the head. When any object penetrates the brain tissue, it leads to traumatic brain injury. Usually, when the brain gets distorted, twisted, and compressed, it causes electrochemical disturbance and widespread damage. A mild case of TBI affects the brain cell of an individual temporarily.
But when you leave the condition undiagnosed for longer, you will not see any signs appear for several years. However, if you have a serious traumatic brain injury, it can cause bleeding and other damage to the brain.
Untreated TBI can result in the following symptoms:
- Frequent headaches.
- Constant lightheadedness, dizziness, and clumsiness.
- Loss of speech and stuttering issues.
- Loss of vision or hearing.
- Depression and anxiety, which are mainly accompanied by irritation and changes in mood.
- Failure to write or read and other mental difficulties.
If you need urgent treatment for whiplash, visit our office today.
What Kind of Brain Trauma Can a Whiplash Cause?
Concussions are the most common brain injuries occurred due to a whiplash but they can be serious. They are mild traumatic brain injuries and can be very serious. For example, a hit to the head during a vehicle mishap that results in whiplash can also cause the brain to shift within the skull.
The brain may also hit against the inside of the skull and result in serious damage and trauma. Studies have shown moderate to severe concussions cause lasting effects like:
- Depression.
- Concussion.
- Behavior or mood changes.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Memory loss.
Whiplash-injured individuals may notice:
- Psychological issues
- Enhanced sensitivity to sound
- Impaired or slow reaction time
- Low IQ level
- Disorganized communication
Get Whiplash Treatment Near You Today
Whiplash is the most common injury that occurs in a car accident. Getting whiplash treatment near you at the earliest will help you prevent further damage to the brain. During a whiplash, a few brain parts may get impacted more. As per the Science Daily, few signs can stay for years but do not come up on tests. It means whiplash may lead to changes in the brain that might not be visible in tests.
It might be due to the alteration in the posture and pain-processing brain part. One study published in EBioMedicine shows changes in blood flow in brain parts that process sensory data and detect pain.
Even if you feel okay after a whiplash, seek help from the doctor at Express Emergency Room Harker Heights immediately. It’s because sometimes brain damage from whiplash goes unnoticed. When the injury goes untreated, it can result in further issues later on.
