Concussions from Car Accidents

If you’re reading this, you or someone you know may have been in a car accident. This can be a very jarring, life-altering event that shouldn’t be taken lightly. One of the most overlooked aspects of car accidents, especially those involving whiplash, is concussive damage.

The newest research points to a simple fact: it’s nearly impossible to have a severe whiplash injury without sustaining concussive damage of some type. This article will outline how to tell if that is the case and what to do.

Let’s dive in.

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What is a Concussion?

A concussion happens when the brain gets shaken around in the skull—think shaken baby syndrome, but with adults. It can also happen when the brain twists on top of the brain stem, causing a sheering force to the deep structures in the brain stem.

Regardless of the type, the initial injury immediately impacts the functioning of the brain tissue. This temporary dysfunction typically lasts 4-14 days and often resolves on its own. For a more thorough rundown of the various phases of concussion recovery, click here.

When it comes to car accidents and concussions, the big things to consider are whether or not you hit your head against the steering wheel or seat back and whether or not you sustained a whiplash accident to your neck. Both will dictate what type of concussion you’ve sustained and will drastically alter the treatment options.

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Symptoms Following a Concussion from a Car Accident

The big thing to understand here is that the top 7 most common symptoms of whiplash are nearly identical to the top 7 symptoms of concussion. These symptoms can help you determine what type of treatment you need.

1. Headache and Migraines

If you have a history of migraine attacks, sustaining a concussion will likely increase the number of attacks per month. The concussion may also produce a new type of headache, often described as a “pressure” or “tension” headache.

Make sure you can accurately describe the type of headache to your doctor. They may prescribe migraine medication as a catch-all method of treating headaches. Be sure you know whether or not they’re migraines, as the medication won’t work for most other types of headaches.

2. Brain Fog:

A concussion from a car accident will often produce the symptom commonly referred to as “Brain fog.” Others describe it as “mentally slow” or “hard to concentrate.” This usually occurs in the days to weeks following the concussion. If it persists, it will often flair up when your other symptoms are present, or you’re fatigued from a long day.

3. Dizziness or Feeling Lightheaded:

These symptoms are often used interchangeably. Be careful when describing them to your doctor, as the causes and treatments are very different.

Dizziness refers to the sensation that you or the room around you is spinning. Think of the feeling you get when you get off a carnival ride that was just a little too intense for you. Some form treats this vestibular issue of vestibular therapy.

Lightheadedness refers to the sensation you get when you stand up too fast and feel like you might pass out. This is an autonomic event that is treated through various therapies.

4. Nausea or Vomiting:

Nausea and vomiting are especially common immediately following a concussion. They can occur due to the stressful nature of the injury or due to extreme nausea. If nausea and vomiting persist, especially if they’re accompanied by dizziness, you should consult with a vestibular specialist to address the underlying cause of the dizziness.

5. Neck and Upper Back Pain

Car accidents and concussions from other causes typically involve some neck pain. People will describe it as a tightness in the upper back area that extends up into the back of the skull.

Many of our patients report experiencing the type of pain that feels better with massage but comes back shortly after. This is a great tip-off that the tightness is coming from some other source, typically neurologic if it’s following a concussion.

6. Light and Sound Sensitivity:

Due to the area where these functions are located, they are especially susceptible to whiplash injuries. Loud, bright environments, like concerts or malls, are often problematic and overwhelming following a concussion.

7. Memory Issues:

Short-term memory issues are common following a concussion. Forgetting what you came into a room for or losing your train of thought are common complaints in the immediate recovery process.

Follow the recovery guidelines here for a rundown of how to prevent long-term memory issues from settling in.

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Diagnosing a Concussion After a Car Accident

1. Medical Evaluation:

Most people will see a medical doctor to rule out any serious injuries. This can include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or blood work. The purpose here is to ensure nothing requires immediate medical attention, like surgery. Assuming everything checks out here, they’ll likely refer you to the appropriate specialist based on your symptoms.

Note: If you pass all the tests and they tell you nothing is wrong, nothing requires imminent attention. It does NOT mean your concussion is guaranteed to heal on its own. If you get the OK from the medical world but still have symptoms, that’s OK and completely normal. Don’t let it make you feel crazy or invalidated.

2: Specialized testing:

After you’re cleared for all the dangerous stuff, you’ll likely begin trying to find answers for your symptoms. This world has become highly specialized with many providers, so be prepared to see a few types of doctors. Some examples are:

-PT for pain

-OT for function

-Chiropractic for headaches

-Vestibular PT for dizziness

-Neuropsychology for cognitive challenges

-Naturopath for metabolic and/or digestion issues

–Functional Neurology for complex mixtures of everything above

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Tips for a Faster Recovery

1. Rest and Recovery:

Rest as much as you need for the first 4-14 days. Once you feel ready to resume light activity, DO IT! Over resting can cause a prolonged recovery because your brain adapts to a quiet, dark room. If you rest for too long, it will take longer to feel better.   

2. Supplement:

Supplement can be beneficial during the first several months of recovery. Good fish oil will give the brain the healthy fats it needs to repair damaged brain tissue (most of the brain is made of fat). A good anti-oxidant like curcumin or glutathione is also helpful in clearing out the waste products created by the injury.

3. Fasting and Nutrition:

Fasting is one of the best ways to promote the brain’s ability to clean itself and detoxify. It’s also a great way to restore normal blood glucose levels following an injury. When you break your fast (we recommend starting with a 14-16-hour fasting window), try to stick to foods rich in healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants.

4. Symptoms Monitoring:

It’s always a good idea to track and monitor your symptoms. This allows you to see patterns in persistent symptoms and helps inform your doctors efficiently. Consider keeping a journal documenting what symptoms come up, how intense they are, and how long they last.

5. Support Systems:

If you need help, ask for it. There are plenty of support groups for people suffering from post-concussion issues. Ask your spouse, friends, or family for support and understanding as you recover. There is no shame in asking for help.

6: Expect Ups and Downs:

Concussion recovery is rarely a straight line. There will be good days, bad days, and everything in between. The only thing you need to successfully navigate long-term recovery is patience and an understanding that bad days don’t mean everything is going backward.

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Conclusion

Recovering from a concussion following a car accident can be a real challenge. Luckily, the world of concussion recovery has advanced 10-fold in the last decade, and we’re here to share all the juiciest tips with you. Remember: concussion symptoms don’t have to be a life sentence. If you’ve tried things that haven’t worked, don’t let that stop you from continuing to educate yourself, advocate for yourself, and seek the answers you need to feel healthy.

If you have questions about concussion recovery, click here to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors. We’ve treated hundreds of complex neurologic cases and can help piece together the missing pieces in your recovery.

*Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Patients should consult their medical provider or primary care physician before trying any remedies or therapies at home.