When you have been involved in anauto accident, it is normal to feel many different aches and pains. It is hard to know where exactly the pain is coming from and what the cause could be. For this reason, any time you have been in an accident, it is recommended that you receive a medical examination. If you are experiencing chest pains, it is essential that you have them checked immediately, as these pains could signify many different injuries, some of which can be serious if not treated promptly.
Are You Having Chest Pains After A Car Accident?
If you are experiencing chest pains after an accident, you may be tempted to associate it to bruising caused by the impact. This thinking could be a mistake though. There are many causes of chest pain caused by auto accidents. Some of these include broken ribs, bruised organs, bruised or strained muscles, and in some severe cases heart attack.
Because of the nature of these types of injuries, it is vital that you receive medical attention in time. If you chose not to be treated after your accident you need to make sure that youfind a doctor in your area as soon as possible to have your injuries checked.
Signs These Pains Might be More Than a Bruise
There are several signs that you may see that indicate that you have an injury that may be more than a bruise. Following are a few of these causes and the possible signs.
Broken Ribs
Some signs of broken ribs can include sharp pain in your chest area. If you are feeling this pain when you breathe, it could indicate that one or more of your ribs is broken and pressing against your lungs as you breathe. Another sign is extreme pain when touching the area. Visible bruising may also appear in your chest area, or you may have increased pain while twisting or moving. Broken ribs require medical attention and extreme care for proper healing, will probably require pain medication for comfort.
Strained or Bruised Muscles
Strains are when the muscle in your chest has been pulled and possibly torn. This injury may cause constant pain, or it could be an intermittent pain. If the pain comes and goes or is tolerable under normal circumstances but causes a pulling pain when you move, this could signify that you have a strain or bruise to the muscles that guard your ribs. These types of injuries should be checked by a doctor to ensure that there is no serious damage. However, they normally do not require any special treatment other than rest and possibly pain medication for the first few days.
Bruised Organs
Bruised organs will be indicated by pain when pressure is applied to the area, pain when laying so that internal pressure is applied to the organ, or pain while laying down. Bruised organs can cause severe consequences in some circumstances. This risk increases if there is swelling in the organ due to the impact it has received. Your doctor can tell you the extent of the damage and the procedure for recuperation. With these types of injuries, it is crucial that you seek medical attention immediately to avoid further complications and risks.
Heart Attack and Cardio Contusion
Everyone knows a heart attack is a reason to see a doctor immediately. What you might not know is that some of those pains in your chest after an auto accident may be the onset of a heart attack. Heart attack signs can sometimes mimic those of broken ribs, which is another reason to seek medical attention right away. Cardio Contusion, on the other hand, is a bruise to your heart muscles. This bruising can be caused during a hard impact like hitting the steering wheeling during a crash. As with a heart attack, this condition is cause for immediate medical attention. Bruising of your heart muscles can cause swelling, and this can affect your blood flow, causing other risks to your health.
Knowing When to Seek Treatment
If you have received any type of chest injury during your car accident, it is recommended that you seek immediate medical care. However, if you have decided to wait and see if your injuries are only minor bruises and scrapes, you want to be attentive to your bodies warning signs. If you should develop any new symptoms or pains that are worsening instead of getting better, you shouldfind a doctor in your area and make an appointment right away. Chest injuries can carry high risks, and it is better to know the underlying cause them to wait for further signs of a serious problem. Once you have seen your doctor, it is also imperative that you follow their instructions as for at home care to ensure a complete recovery.
