8 Delayed Health Effects After a Vehicular Accident: What to Keep an Eye On

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are one of the leading causes of death in the world today. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 1.19 million people are killed by accidents on the road each year.

Car Accident

Since millions of people all over the world either drive a car, ride in a vehicle, or are pedestrians, injuries and complications arising from RTAs are very important to keep track of. These injuries range from mild to severe to life-threatening.

Injuries from car accidents may not all manifest immediately. Some may take hours, days, and even weeks to manifest. Being aware of and understanding these delayed symptoms is crucial in triggering proper health-seeking behavior on time. Delays in accessing medical care could snowball the symptoms into serious and often life-threatening medical complications.

Causes of delayed symptoms

Table of Contents

1 Causes of delayed symptoms
2 Possible delayed symptoms and their associated injuries
3 Final thoughts
- - - 3.0.0.1 References

Car accidents, like most traumatic experiences, are followed by a massive release of epinephrine and endorphins. These hormones regulate the “fight or flight” mode of the body and enable the individual to cope both physically and emotionally. Epinephrine, in particular, suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α. As time passes by, these hormones begin to wear off leading to the progression of inflammatory response. This increased inflammatory state causes symptoms that were priorly suppressed to resurface.

Possible delayed symptoms and their associated injuries

The following are some delayed symptoms that a car accident victim should watch for:

Headache: Headache is a common early symptom especially when the RTA in question involves head trauma. The headache can come up days or weeks after the incident. This can indicate whiplash injury, concussion, and other traumatic brain injuries such as epidural and subdural hematomas.
Abdominal pain: This might be caused by the impact of the seatbelt on the abdomen during a crash. The seatbelt can cause blunt trauma to the abdomen causing internal structural damage. This can lead to internal bleeding which is life-threatening if not noticed and treated promptly. Delayed treatment can lead to death.
Neck pain: This can be caused by whiplash or other neck injuries sustained during the accident; including muscle strain and sprain. Neck pain can be accompanied by stiffness, tenderness, and progressive inability to move the neck. Dismissing these symptoms can subsequently cause long-term osteodegenerative conditions of the cervical vertebrae and neurodegenerative conditions of the cervical nerve roots
Back pain: This is another common delayed symptom, particularly lower back pain. Vehicle collisions can apply pressure on the spine leading to injuries like herniated discs, muscle and tendon tears, nerve compression, and spinal cord compression. It could be dull or sharp and accompanied by stiffness and inability to move the back in different planes.
Numbness and tingling: This can be caused by spinal cord injury, or nerve compression, and even result in total loss of function if not noticed early. These symptoms usually follow a back, neck, or head injury.
Chest pain: Chest pain can be caused by direct trauma on the chest wall or otherwise. Usually, the dashboard or seatbelt causes significant force and pressure on the chest wall leading to cardiothoracic injuries. Chest pain should be identified and treated promptly.
Hip pain: Delayed hip pain may be indicative of fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injury not seen immediately. Accompanying symptoms include limb-length discrepancy, and inability to move the hip and bear weight.
Psychological changes: Emotional and psychological trauma are also common after car accidents, often with delayed onset. This can be manifested as anxiety, depression, nightmares, and insomnia. Mood, behavior, and cognitive function are noticed to be abnormal. The shock and stress of the accident may initially mask these symptoms, but they can surface in the days or weeks following the event.

Final thoughts

Delayed injury symptoms following an RTA could be quite scary for anyone experiencing them. However, a proper understanding of the cause and nature of the symptoms can help in promoting good health-seeking behavior. If managed properly, these symptoms often resolve completely, negating the risk of progression towards more serious complications. Additionally, seeking legal advice may be necessary for compensation and support during the recovery process.