When you get into a car accident, you may feel like everything happens very quickly. You may not realize that you sustained an injury until a few days later. One of the wounds that you may not notice immediately is a concussion.
You or one of your family members may incur a concussion if the head received a blow during the collision. According to the Mayo Clinic, the impact of a crash can cause your brain to ricochet against your skull. You may feel dizzy or confused immediately after the accident. However, sometimes it may take a few days for symptoms to materialize.
What symptoms should you look for?
If you received a blow to your head during the accident, you should pay attention to the way that you feel over the next few days. Headaches and sensitivity to sounds and light can indicate that you have a concussion. Additionally, you may experience nausea or have blurred vision.
You may also need to monitor your children for signs of a concussion. They may not always be able to tell you if they are experiencing symptoms. Do your children seem to be uninterested in playing with their toys? Do they look unsteady when they walk? Have they been sleeping and eating differently since the accident? These may be signs that a child has a concussion.
Do you need medical attention?
If you notice symptoms of a concussion in either yourself or your child, you should see a doctor. A physician can run tests to determine how serious the injury is. Some symptoms may indicate that you or your family member needs immediate care. If someone has slurred speech, loses consciousness or experiences continuous nausea, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. These symptoms demonstrate that you or your loved one may have a more serious brain injury.
With rest and the proper treatment, you and your loved ones can usually experience a full recovery.
