How Can I Learn To Diagnose Whiplash?

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries associated with road traffic accidents. As it is thought that statistically each of us will be involved in a car accident in our lifetimes, there are a lot of people suffering from varying types of whiplash. Whiplash is caused from a sudden, jerking stretch of the spine which causes a strain or even tearing to the soft tissue of the neck. Whiplash is usually the result of a vehicle collision from behind, but it can also be caused by strenuous sport or activity. As it is such a common complaint amongst victims of car accidents, it can be useful to learn how to diagnose the condition yourself in order to decide when you need to go to the doctor to be seen.

If you have been unfortunate enough to be injured in a car accident and you think there is a possibility that you have whiplash there are a few things to look out for. Firstly, I would always advise visiting a doctor after a car accident even if you are not in any pain as there may be hidden damage that you are not aware of but your doctor will be able to see. If you wish to try and diagnose yourself then you should look out for the immediate side effects of whiplash, which include headaches and neck stiffness. In some cases, these symptoms may take up to 24 hours to manifest.

You should pay special attention to any warning signs of severe whiplash. If the whiplash is severe then the trauma to the spine can sometimes result in memory loss or unconsciousness. Other symptoms can be pains in the back of the head and a pins and needles sensation along the shoulders and the arms.

If you suspect someone else of having whiplash then it is important to ask about the activities that they have been doing recently and if there was one single movement that seemed to cause the pain. If the person has recently experienced a sudden jolt to the head or the neck then it is more than likely that they are suffering from whiplash.

If you are in any doubt then you should seek medical advice to help diagnose the problem. There are not any set tests or scans that will help a doctor to diagnose whiplash, but a doctor will usually be able to make a diagnosis based on the patient’s complaints and symptoms. A doctor will usually ask a suspected whiplash patient if they have experienced any ringing in the ears or any blurred vision as this can be a way of diagnosing whiplash after an accident.

It is important not to confuse concussion with whiplash, as concussion can show the same symptoms of whiplash but it can be much more dangerous. Signs of nausea, vomiting and extreme lethargy are all associated with concussion and the person needs to be taken to hospital immediately.

It is always advisable to visit a doctor following any sort of accident, as they may be able to detect internal or hidden damage that you are not aware of. When it comes to your health, it is always better to be safe rather than sorry.