A car crash can leave you dazed and confused, especially if you hurt your head. Even if you do not feel sick or injured, there is a chance that you may experience lingering effects of the collision.
In some instances, the consequences for waiting to get a physical exam may prove life-altering. A lurking brain injury may become a ticking timebomb with catastrophic results. Discover some of the symptoms you may want to look out for after a crash.
Physical symptoms
You may believe that a brain injury only occurs if you strike your head on something. While this is the most apparent means of brain trauma, it is not the only one. If the force of the car crash causes your body to jolt back and forth, your brain may become bruised by the skull. When the brain suffers damage, it may bleed, swell and seize. The physical signs of a brain injury include:
- Headache that becomes more severe over time
- Dizziness
- Extreme fatigue and exhaustion
- Nausea and vomiting
Cognitive signs
Along with physical symptoms, the brain may signal an injury in other ways. Depending on the section of brain tissue impacted by the damage, you may experience brain function delays. These cognitive symptoms may prove difficult to spot if you do not know what to look for. Any difficulty with memory, speech or focus may signal there is something wrong with the brain. A sudden change in personality also points to a brain injury.
Waiting to get treatment for a brain injury may prove deadly. If the bleeding or bruising continues without intervention, you may experience a stroke. An aneurysm may form over time and burst should the pressure become too significant. Therefore, you should seek medical care even if you believe the accident was minor.