If you were recently in a car accident, it is very likely that you are experiencing some degree of pain and discomfort afterward. A car accident can be an overwhelming experience even if you didn’t get injured. When you also suffer an injury, it can make the entire process that much more stressful. If you have an injury that leads to a neurological disorder after a car accident, then you might be frustrated that you have these strange symptoms and sensations that you didn’t use to have. Visit a neurologist in College Park and learn more about how you may develop a neurological disorder after a car accident and what a neurologist can do to help.
Central Nervous System vs Peripheral Nervous System
Understanding the two primary systems of the nervous system can help to better understand neurological injuries and why you are experiencing certain symptoms. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system includes the nerve that connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. It is possible to experience nerve damage that affects either or both of these systems. Damage to your brain or spinal cord directly can cause a traumatic brain injury or spinal injury that can cause pain, tingling, and numbness after a car accident. Damage to your nerves after a car accident can also cause these pins and needles sensations along with pain and discomfort. A neurologist in College Park will be able to determine how the nervous system has been impacted by a car accident and what diagnosis and treatment are most appropriate.
Common Neurological Disorders After a Car Accident
Neurological disorders can have symptoms that appear right away after a car accident. However, symptoms can also take hours or even days to fully appear. You may notice symptoms of a neurological disorder or a loved one may also help you recognize how your symptoms have gotten worse over time. Here are five examples of neurological injuries common with car accident injuries.
Headaches
There are several different types of headaches that you can experience after a car accident. The emotional stress of the car accident alone can give you a headache as you navigate accident reports, insurance companies, and car repairs. Headaches after a car accident can also be a sign of a more serious issue or injury, like a spinal injury or an injury that is impacting your nervous system. Migraines or tension headaches can cause you extreme discomfort after a car accident, making you more sensitive to light and sound. Painful headaches after a car accident can also cause symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, and nausea.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy refers to the pain and discomfort you experience when the nerves in your peripheral nervous system have been damaged. This type of pain and discomfort affects your mobility, which means you may have trouble balancing, walking, or grasping objects. Neuropathy can negatively impact your motor skills when nerve endings are pressured or compressed due to another injury. For example, a herniated disc can put pressure on nearby nerves and cause pain, weakness, and numbness.
Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy refers to the pain you may experience when the nerves at the base of the spinal column are damaged or compressed. An injury to this area can cause pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling sensations in your extremities. Radiculopathy typically starts at the neck or lower back and then radiates into the arms or legs.
Spinal Cord Injury
There are many different kinds of spinal cord injuries that can lead to neurological disorders. Any type of damage to the spine risks also damaging your central nervous system or peripheral nervous system. For example, whiplash can damage the vertebrae and spinal discs in your spine.
Concussion
A concussion is the most common example of a traumatic brain injury. While concussions are most commonly associated with sports injuries, you can also experience a concussion if you suffer a blow to the head during a car accident. This can cause the brain to collide with your skull, which can lead to bruising or even bleeding on the brain.
If you experience pain after a car accident along with neurological symptoms like tingling, weakness, and numbness, then talk to your neurologist in College Park right away to get the comprehensive care you need.