One of the hallmarks of post-concussion syndrome is persistent headaches (along with dizziness, problems concentrating, and memory issues, to name a few common symptoms). In most people, this type of headache symptom appears within the first seven to ten days and should go away within three months.
What do you do if your head hurts after a car accident?
Headache pain can be mild, but in some cases, the pain can be intense, even debilitating. If you were recently involved in an auto accident and are now experiencing headaches, it is important that you see a doctor right away.
How do you relieve an injury headache?
If you find that your post-traumatic headache is making it hard to work or do your everyday activities, there are ways to manage the symptoms.
Treatment
- Anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
- Pain medications, like acetaminophen.
- Drugs made specifically for migraines, such as triptans.
What does it mean when you have a headache after a car accident?
Muscle strain headaches/spasm headaches:
It is caused when the muscles of the neck, head or upper back are injured or strained. During a car accident, the sudden impact to the neck and head may tear or injure the soft tissue, causing a strain or spasm of the muscles.
How long do headaches last after a car accident? – Related Questions
Should I go to ER for headache after car accident?
One of the reasons why you should go to an ER for headaches following a car wreck is due to the fact that it may be a sign of a concussion. A severe concussion, especially one suffered during a serious trauma such as a car wreck, should always result in a visit to an ER like the highly rated frontlineer.com.
What is a concussion headache like?
Characteristics: Following a concussion, you can develop a headache that resembles a migraine headache. Pain tends to be in the front of the head area of your forehead or temple. It is commonly described as a ‘pounding’ or ‘throbbing’ pain. It is sometimes associated with nausea and sensitivity to light and noise.
What does a whiplash headache feel like?
What are the symptoms of whiplash headache? Patients with headache after a whiplash injury will typically experience pain in the back of the head where the head meets the neck. This pain may radiate to the temples, the top of the head, the front of the head or down the neck. The pain may be intermittent or constant.
Does a headache automatically mean concussion?
Overall, concussions are mild brain injuries that require immediate attention. While headaches, nausea, and physical and cognitive impairment are the top three signs of a concussion, these symptoms do not exclusively guarantee the presence or absence of a concussion.
Should I get my head checked after car accident?
We generally recommend seeing a doctor after a serious car accident to ensure there are no life-threatening injuries. Many concussion symptoms mimic those of other types of TBI (moderate, severe) that can be deadly if left untreated, such as bleeding on the brain or uncontrolled intracranial pressure.
What kind of headaches does whiplash cause?
Signs and symptoms of whiplash usually develop within days of the injury, and may include:
- Neck pain and stiffness.
- Worsening of pain with neck movement.
- Loss of range of motion in the neck.
- Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull.
- Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms.
How do you get rid of a whiplash headache?
Either heat or cold applied to the neck for 15 minutes every three hours or so can help you feel better. Over-the-counter pain medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), often can control mild to moderate whiplash pain.
What happens if whiplash goes untreated?
Whiplash is no different. Like most other injuries, serious side effects can occur when left untreated: Stiffness and loss of motion. As well as the chronic neck pain and stiffness, untreated whiplash can even lead to degenerative disc disease and vertebrae misalignment.
How can you tell the difference between a concussion and whiplash?
There may be physical symptoms of whiplash such as a headache, but the major signs to watch out for are cognitive. Confusion, memory problems, sluggishness, uncharacteristic clumsiness, and mood changes can all indicate a concussion.
How can I test myself for a concussion?
Look for:
- Changes in day-to-day functioning.
- Eye pain and/or eye fatigue.
- Headache.
- Changes in sleep patterns.
- Neck pain or stiffness.
- Imbalance, dropping things, bumping into things.
- Impaired depth perception (having difficulty seeing the distance between two items)
- Difficulty remembering things.
How do doctors check for concussion?
A cranial computerized tomography (CT) scan is the standard test in adults to assess the brain right after injury. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to obtain cross-sectional images of your skull and brain.
What is the best medication for concussion?
During the first 24 hours acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used for pain relief. After the first 24 hours, ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Naprosyn, Aleve) are generally more effective for pain relief, and are safe. In some patients, nausea and vomiting can be bothersome, and prescription medications can help.
What should you not do after a concussion?
Rest (for 1–2 days after the concussion)
You can try it again after a few minutes or longer, or you can try a less strenuous version of the activity. Avoid or cut down on screen time. Video games, texting, watching TV, and using social media are likely to cause symptoms or make them worse. Don’t drive.
How do you deal with a headache after a concussion?
Headaches & concussion
- Go to a quiet place or go outside and get some fresh air. Lying down and turning off the lights may also help.
- Put a cold or hot pack to the neck or head.
- Do deep breathing and relaxation exercises. Learn more about relaxation strategies in the mood section »
How do you treat a concussion at home?
Rest in a quiet, dark room until your headache is gone. Close your eyes and try to relax or go to sleep.
Some ways to do this include:
- Taking slow, deep breaths.
- Soaking in a warm bath.
- Listening to soothing music.
- Having a massage or back rub.
- Drinking a warm, non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage.
What helps a concussion heal faster?
There are several science-backed methods to speed up concussion recovery.
- Physical rest.
- Mental rest.
- Light exercise.
- Abstain from alcohol.
- Chiropractic care.
- Psychological treatment.