If you have a car accident and hit your head, you may suffer from a concussion afterward. While the effects of a concussion are usually temporary, it does affect your brain functioning.
The symptoms and signs of a concussion may not happen right away, so it is important to be on the lookout in the days following the accident for emerging indications.
The physical signs of a concussion
According to Mayo Clinic, the following signs may indicate that you have a concussion:
- You have a headache
- There is ringing in your ears
- Your vision is blurry
- You feel very tired and sleepy
- You are nauseous or even experience vomiting
Most people assume that you must lose consciousness if you endure a concussion, but this is not always the case. You may also experience forgetfulness, slurred speech and a delayed response.
Signs that may show up in the following days
Because not all symptoms show up immediately, you may experience the following circumstances in the days after your accident. Any of these signs may indicate that you have a concussion:
- You have a hard time concentrating or remembering things
- You experience changes in your personality or feel irritable
- You have a hard time sleeping
- You experience sensitivity to light and noise
- Your sense of taste or smell becomes impaired
- You develop depression or other adjustment difficulties
If you hit your head and experience any of the above, you should seek immediate medical care for a diagnosis. This is especially true if you lose consciousness during the accident. Head injuries, including concussions, may result in bleeding around your brain.