Many people know what whiplash is. They know it’s common after car accidents, and it has serious effects on your neck and the rest of your body.
However, very few people know how to identify the signs of whiplash and what they should do after the initial injury. Luckily, it’s easy to spot once you know the signs.
Seven signs to spot
After an accident, victims should pay close attention to their bodies and behavior as they recover. Some symptoms to watch out for include:
- Severe neck pain or stiffness
- Loss of movement in the neck
- Headaches that occur at the base of the skull
- Tenderness in the shoulders, upper back or arms
- Blurry vision
- Fatigue or sleep disturbances
- Depression
These are only some of the symptoms of whiplash, so make sure to consult with a medical professional if you suspect you have a severe injury after a motor vehicle accident.
Diagnosing and treating whiplash
If you are suffering from multiple signs of whiplash, visit a hospital to receive an official diagnosis, since multiple injuries cause similar symptoms. The doctors may conduct an imagining test and a physical examination to determine if the injury is whiplash.
If your diagnosis is whiplash, the medical staff will manage your pain and possibly prescribed physical therapy if there is severe damage to the neck. It’s a long, grueling process for victims as they require a significant amount of time to heal.
Victims or their loved ones shouldn’t hesitate to seek medical attention as soon as possible. It may be a crucial step in protecting a person’s health.