There are over 6 million car accidents in the United States every year. While most of these don’t result in significant bodily harm, many of them do.
But, your injuries might not always be readily apparent. It’s also not impossible to have neurological damage and have symptoms that you wouldn’t expect.
“When to See a Neurologist?” is a question a lot of our readers are asking every week. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about when to see a neurologist after an accident.
There’s a difference between perceived weakness as a result of pain and actual weakness from neurological issues.
If you can’t move your arm very well because it’s bruised, you’ll likely be fine after a week or so. If your arm is visibly unscathed and you’re having trouble lifting it or picking up objects, though, you may have nerve damage that needs immediate attention.
Those experiencing weakness should locate a neurologist as soon as possible to prevent additional issues from arising.
Unlike weakness, these symptoms are nearly always associated with a neurological injury after a car accident.
When nerve damage occurs, it can sometimes manifest in strange ways.
For example, a back or neck injury from a car accident could compress your nerves and injure them. This could then result in a feeling of tingling, numbness, or even burning in your extremities.
This is another telltale sign that you need to see a neurologist after an accident— especially if you didn’t experience injury in your torso or pelvic region.
Urinary incontinence is a common symptom of traumatic brain injury, especially if it begins to occur right after the collision.
Since this condition can result in further health complications, it’s vital to seek medical attention immediately once you begin to notice this problem.
These symptoms occur for a similar reason tingling and burning do. Physical trauma that causes nerve or brain damage can easily manifest itself in twitching or muscle spasms.
It’s important to note, though, that being hyper-vigilant of these symptoms could cause you to notice twitching that you normally wouldn’t (especially near the eyelids).
If you’re focused on a task and still notice spasms or twitching, though, it’s time to see a neurologist.
Optic nerve damage is fairly common from car accidents due to the amount of force the injured person experiences.
Those with neurological problems often experience double vision, trouble seeing out of one eye, or even blindness if the issue isn’t treated. As you can expect, vision problems should immediately be followed by a trip to a medical professional.
But it doesn’t have to be.
With the above information about when to see a neurologist in mind, you’ll be well on your way to getting the medical attention you need as soon as possible.
Get help now, call 1-800-897-8440 or fill out the form below to find an experienced neurologist near you.
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