Are you worried that you might have a whiplash injury? Know the impacts
What is a whiplash injury?
Whiplash is a neck and spine injury that is usually caused by car accidents, but there are other reasons for it too. It is an injury that has an effect on the bone structure as well as the soft tissues of the head. People suffer from a whiplash injury when there is a sudden blow to their head, or if they fall or slip where their head hits the ground or a solid object very hard. The pain of whiplash is immense, and so it is very hard for people to ignore it. The most common accident that leads to a whiplash injury is where a person on a bike or car gets hit by another vehicle. It rear impact causes the head forcing it into a backward position. It ends up in having an abnormal motion and damages the soft tissues along with the bone structure of the human’s head.
The impacts of whiplash injury
The main impact of a Whiplash injury is on to the neck of the person because of which it pains a lot when one rocks his head to either side. Sometimes after the injury, the pain in the neck starts immediately, that can also cause concussions. One shall always see a doctor right away if that is the case. However, there are times where it might take a few hours or even days before one starts feeling the pain. He or she may feel nauseous, dizzy, and unconscious as well, along with the headaches. It is where x-rays are important so that the doctor can understand the condition and rule out the problem for that matter.
A person must know what injury he has is for real. At times people feel that they are fine when, in reality, they are not recovering from it completely. It develops into a chronic whiplash disorder. The initial treatment for a whiplash injury is a soft cervical collar for some weeks. It reduces the range motion so that he or she does not get any additional injuries. It is a kind of prolonged immobilization that helps in the healing process. However, it shall not be for a long time as it can even worsen the situation of the person by the decreased blood flow due to stiffness.
The length of the time that one might take to recover from whiplash varies from person to person. Some people feel better within a few months. But, for some people, it might take more than a year to recover. The severe pain makes it very difficult for people to focus on their daily chores and enjoy their life. In most cases where people are not aware of a whiplash injury, they might have to face some psychological symptoms such as depression or anxiety. However, if the person stays focused on the treatment, there is a good chance that he will recover fast with the help of the treatment and support.
