Chances are you’ve had a headache before and written it off as just an annoyance, or maybe a result of something simple like lack of sleep. But if you have recently been in a car accident, you might be on high alert for any ache or pain, including a headache. At the first sign of pain, you might start to question yourself: Did I hit my head? Do I feel differently? Is it a concussion?
Concussions are in fact one of the most common reasons people report headaches after a car accident. However, there are other things that could cause the issue as well, and it’s important to confirm with a doctor rather than assuming a concussion is the problem.
About Concussions
A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury, also known as a TBI, that results from an outside force or object. This can include a blow to the head from a flying object, hitting the head against a hard surface, or a penetration injury to the brain. A sudden shaking or back and forth motion of the head can also cause a concussion. All of these can occur during a car accident, though concussions are also common during sports injuries or severe falls. In most cases, a concussion is not life-threatening and can be resolved with simple rest and care.
Headaches after a car accident are one of the major signs of a concussion and are enough of a reason to seek treatment. A doctor will be able to identify a concussion or rule out other, more serious car accident injuries as soon as headaches begin presenting.
Because headaches can occur for a variety of reasons, there are a number of other delayed symptoms after an accident that may indicate a concussion is to blame. Some of these signs may be difficult to notice in yourself, so checking in with a loved one can also be helpful. This is because a concussion can have cognitive effects, leading to trouble with memory, concentration, or reaction times. Your mood can also shift and result in irritability or depression that may be easier seen from the outside.
Other signs of a concussion include drowsiness, dizziness, double or blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise, and balance problems.
Other Causes of Headaches After a Car Accident
While concussions are common, there are a number of more serious injuries that can occur during a car accident that can also result in a headache. This makes it easy to write something off as a concussion that will heal with time without noticing a much more serious issue is occurring, maybe until it is too late and surgery is required. Some of the possible brain injuries are below.
Contusions: A contusion occurs when the brain suffers a bruise after direct impact to the head. Like a concussion, this may occur when the driver is struck by an external object or hits against a fixed object like the steering wheel. Major contusions can ultimately end in brain herniation, a severe TBI where a part of the brain squeezes past the skull, requiring surgery to address swelling.
Penetration: When an external object manages to penetrate the skull or the brain, this can cause life-threatening injuries. While you will usually know this has happened, a very small object acting as a projectile could potentially go unnoticed at first. The object will need to be removed and any remaining wounds treated quickly.
Diffuse Axonal Injury: This type of injury occurs as a result of severe rotation or shaking. In a car accident, this may happen when the body shifts back and forth suddenly. The brain structures may tear in this scenario, or the brain may strike the skull.
Coup-Contrecoup: During an accident that is very forceful or violent, like a rollover, can cause the brain to bounce around within the skull and hit the hard bone multiple times. This means both sides of the brain are often damaged, and bleeding or swelling are common in the brain after this type of injury has occurred.
Headaches after a car accident are common with all of these types of injuries, along with concussions. It is always best to rule out these more serious conditions if you suspect a concussion, so you can proceed with the appropriate treatment plan.
