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Whiplash can cause pain, soreness, and neurological problems such as ringing in the ears and impaired vision. Psychological symptoms may also occur. Treatment may include wearing a brace, medication, physical therapy, and surgery. Safety measures like wearing seat belts and driving in cars with airbags can help prevent whiplash.
The effects of whiplash include pain and soreness in the neck, head and back, along with neurological problems such as ringing in the ears and impaired vision. Some patients also have psychological whiplash symptoms, such as irritability, depression, and PTSD. When a patient sustains an injury involving the spine and head, a thorough medical evaluation is necessary to determine the nature and extent of the injury and to develop an appropriate treatment plan, bearing in mind that people may have long-term health.
In whiplash injuries, the head experiences sudden acceleration, followed by rapid deceleration. The most common cause is a car accident, in which patients can slam forward or backward and then bounce the other way when they hit the steering column or headrest. Some types of sports injuries can follow a similar pattern. Safety measures like wearing seat belts and driving in cars with airbags can help prevent whiplash.
Immediately after the accident, people may notice pain and tenderness in the spine, lower skull, and upper back. These symptoms can get worse over time. The neck can stiffen, limiting range of motion, and it can swell, sometimes causing extreme discomfort. The effects of whiplash often include back pain that spreads to the lower back, headache associated with minor brain injury, and feelings of fatigue or unusually heavy limbs. Patients who begin to sleep significantly more than usual or appear disoriented and confused may have brain damage and should see a neurologist.
Some patients experience blurry vision, double vision, dizziness, and ringing in the ears related to whiplash. They can arise within minutes or hours of the accident. If patients experience psychological problems such as depression, irritability, and other behavioral changes, it may take days or weeks after the onset of the injury. Patients may also feel isolated and lonely because they may need to rest after the accident, making it more difficult to move around and interact with people.
Treatment for the effects of whiplash may include wearing a brace to stabilize your spine, taking medications to address inflammation and pain, and gentle physical therapy to build strength and flexibility in your neck. Sometimes, surgery is needed to treat hairline fractures, ruptured discs, and other head and neck problems. It’s important to get a detailed doctor’s visit to check for potential complications and attend follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress and see if additional treatment is needed. For the psychological effects of whiplash, medication and therapy can both be helpful.
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