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Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Headaches After a Car Accident

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Headaches are common, and many people complain of them often. However, if you have a severe headache after a car accident, you must note this. While a headache alone has no particular significance to the body, there are times when the pain may be caused by something serious, such as injuries from the accident itself.

Furthermore, headaches can develop after a car accident for several different reasons. Some of these indicate that there was some damage done to areas of the brain. At the same time, others may be caused by stress or tension. One thing is sure, though; if you have a headache, something triggers the pain.

Common Reasons for Headaches After Car Accidents

There are several known causes for headaches after car accidents. You might be wondering how long should a headache last after a car accident? Well, this is because the pain may be caused by one of these reasons. These possible reasons include:

Whiplash Headaches:

Whiplash is a common injury that often occurs in car accidents. When an individual’s neck is forced to move quickly forward or backward, then whiplash can occur. This type of pain usually starts from the back of the head to the front of the head. It can even continue down to your shoulders if it becomes severe enough. The headache can be quite painful, and it may become more intense when the victim tries to turn their head or move it. The exact reason why this happens is that there can be tears in the tendons that attach muscles to bones, sprains in the ligaments and muscles, and injuries to the nerves.

Fractured Skull or Fractured Vertebrae:

Sometimes after a car accident, the bones of your skull or spine can become fractured. This is very serious and can be pretty dangerous as well. If you have a headache after an accident and any of these symptoms, it is essential to receive medical attention immediately. In addition, a fractured skull or vertebrae can lead to bleeding within the brain or spinal cord. Again, this is a severe and potentially life-threatening injury. Furthermore, it will need to be treated as soon as possible.

Brain Hemorrhage Headaches:

If you have bleeding in your brain after a car accident, this can lead to headaches. This is because blood vessels are present deep within the brain that could burst due to violent movement during an accident. You will need immediate medical attention if you believe you might have a brain hemorrhage after an accident.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): 

Another type of headache that might occur is one due to injury to the head itself. For example, a car accident is undoubtedly traumatic, and this may cause damage to the brain. This, in turn, leads to a headache that may range from mild to severe. When your brain gets injured during an accident, this could lead to a headache. This is because there are small vessels located within the brain that may break when jostled around. This is a severe injury that will need immediate medical attention.

Tension Headaches:

Stress and tension can also lead to headaches. For example, when you develop a lot of pressure from the pain of the accident, this could trigger this type of headache. This is because there are muscles within your head and neck that tighten up when you become stressed. If the tension becomes too much, then it can result in a headache. Tension headaches will typically go away on their own after a few days or weeks of relaxation.

Post Concussion Headaches:

This type of headache could occur if an accident has caused a concussion to the head. A concussion is a type of brain injury, and if you have suffered from one, it may cause headaches. This can affect your neck and shoulders as well. Trauma experienced in a car accident can easily cause a concussion, and this is why you need to watch for the development of a headache following such an injury. If you notice this type of headache after an accident, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine whether severe damage may be present.

If you have been in a car accident and are experiencing headaches, then it is recommended that you get them checked out by a doctor immediately. It may be nothing; however, if you do not seek help when this occurs after an accident, then there is a chance that you will do more damage to your body and brain. This may delay the proper treatment and only worsen your condition and become even more challenging to treat.

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