If you have debilitating pain from headaches after a car accident, you may have a serious injury. Many times, headaches are a sign of another injury like a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
Post-traumatic headaches can vary in severity, so it is important to know what to do if your headache does not go away.
Post-traumatic headache pain
A post-traumatic headache is the term for a headache occurring after a car accident. These can begin immediately after the crash or could start a few hours or days after the collision. Trauma to the neck or head could come from a direct blow or a violent shaking of the head and neck in response to the impact. These headaches are often persistent and incredibly painful, potentially signaling whiplash, a traumatic brain injury or concussion.
Signs of serious injury
It is common for people to suffer a headache from minor collisions. The symptoms of a minor injury include dull aching in the head, tightness or sensitivities with the head, neck, scalp and temporary lack of appetite. A more serious concern involves migraine pain, cluster headaches, blurred vision, chronic facial pain and nausea or vomiting. In addition to these signs, constant pain that does not go away with over-the-counter medications is also an indicator of a severe injury.
It does not matter how severe the car accident was when it comes to dealing with headaches. Any headache pain is a sign of an injury. Always have a medical professional examine you after an accident to assess for possible injuries.