Did you know that there are more than 6 million automobile accidents each year in the United States? And of these accidents, more than 3 million people get injured. And of these 3 million injuries, two-thirds of them cause long-lasting problems.
Because of these statistics, Todd S. Koppel, MD, and his team at Garden State Pain Management encourage men, women, and children to get medically evaluated after an accident regardless of how severe the accident is.
After a stressful event like an accident, your body releases adrenaline and endorphins, natural chemicals that help you respond to a jarring event. These chemicals provide an instantaneous burst of energy and can even block pain. And because of their effects, you may not realize you’ve sustained injuries until the endorphins wear off.
Types of automobile accident injuries
You can sustain multiple types of injuries after an auto accident. You may injure your bones, muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Even low-speed accidents can cause harm, especially to your soft tissues.
You may experience whiplash, which happens when your head is forcefully moved forward and backward. This condition can lead to pain and stiffness, but these symptoms may not appear right away.
You may also experience a concussion. Concussions occur when your head strikes something hard or is moved so forcefully that your brain hits your skull. With a concussion, you may experience:
- Cloudy thinking
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble remembering
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Abnormal sleep patterns
Like whiplash, the symptoms of a concussion may not appear right away, but serious medical complications can develop if you’re not evaluated quickly.
What an evaluation involves
Dr. Koppel completes a full examination and looks for signs of impact or injury. In addition to a physical exam, Dr. Koppel also performs a neurological examination, testing your memory, reflexes, and automatic responses.
In some cases, Dr. Koppel may need to seek further testing to determine the extent of your injuries. Depending on your symptoms, Dr. Koppel may recommend tests, such as:
- X-ray
- CT scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound
The imaging tests you are given will depend on the injuries you may have sustained. For example, an ultrasound can show damage to organs and soft tissues, while an X-ray can show bone injuries.
Don’t wait to seek medical attention
If you’ve been in an auto accident, don’t wait to seek medical attention. When left undiagnosed, automobile accident injuries can lead to further complications and result in permanent injuries. What’s more, insurance companies may be hesitant to pay for injuries that are not diagnosed immediately after an accident.
So don’t wait. Even if you think you don’t need to see a doctor, be on the safe side and do it anyway.
If you’ve been in an auto accident, book an appointment online or over the phone with Garden State Pain Management today.