The effects of car accidents can devastate anyone. Residents of Maryland may think they only have whiplash in the aftermath of such an accident. However, it’s possible for whiplash to mask a traumatic brain injury.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a common injury sustained after a car accident. It occurs when a person’s head is jerked forward and then back upon impact from a crash. The person’s neck suffers a serious jolt, which can result in the following symptoms:
• Neck pain
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Numbness
• Tingling
Sometimes, an initial diagnosis of whiplash might be wrong or the person might have whiplash and a traumatic brain injury. It’s possible for whiplash to initially mask the symptoms of a TBI. This is because both conditions share many of the same side effects.
In some cases, it’s possible to get a diagnosis of a concussion, which is usually a milder type of TBI. However, it’s common for the injury to be more serious. An MRI or CT scan performed soon after a car accident may not show that the person has a serious TBI.
How can traumatic brain injury be distinguished?
A TBI is different from a whiplash injury. It results in cognitive changes that can significantly change a person’s life. While the symptoms of whiplash can go away in a short amount of time, those of TBI can linger for longer than a few months. In addition to cognitive symptoms, there is often commonly blurred vision, dizziness and balance issues and a persistent headache that often affects the back of the head. Seeing a brain specialist is the best course of action to take.