It is common to feel headaches following a car collision. Your body may be trying to notify you something else is wrong by giving you headaches. Headaches may be an indicator of:
- neck wounds
- Concussion
- an embolism in the brain
- Whiplash
Although headache pain might occasionally be moderate, it can also be severe and incapacitating. It’s crucial that you visit a doctor as soon as possible if you were in an auto accident, sustained a fall, or suffered an injury and are now suffering from headaches.
NOVA Ortho & Spine are experts at identifying, managing, and rehabbing those who have sustained injuries in auto accidents. NOVA Ortho & Spine can get you on the path to recovery.
Forms and Signs of Headaches Following a Vehicle Crash
Although though there are several injuries that might result from a car collision and cause headaches, some injuries are more common but all should be evaluated.
Headache following trauma
This kind of headache is typically brought on by head and neck injuries sustained following a car accident or other traumatic incident. Post-traumatic headaches can be cervicogenic (coming from the neck), post-concussive (coming from the brain as a direct result of a concussion), caused by muscle contraction or spasm, or caused by inflammation of the greater occipital nerve at the base of the skull or the upper cervical nerve roots in the neck.
Headache following concussion (i.e. Migraine Headaches)
A concussion is a brain damage that is frequently brought on by a head injury or a rapid, forceful jolt. Concussion-related migraine headaches are a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain and are frequently accompanied by nausea (and occasionally vomiting), light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, as well as sensitivity to specific scents and movement. Additional concussion symptoms include foggy thinking, memory loss, disorientation, agitation, irritability, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, dizziness, balance issues, and ringing in the ears.
Muscle spasm or contraction headaches
When the muscles in the neck, head, or upper back are affected, headaches are one of the most frequent side effects following a car accident. A severe shock to the neck and head, particularly after an auto collision, can tear or injure the soft tissue, resulting in tension or muscle spasm. Muscle strain can result in a headache, restricted range of motion, pain in the afflicted area, as well as redness or swelling.
Whiplash Pains
In motor vehicle accidents, whiplash is a common injury that results from a sudden force being applied to the head and neck. Soft tissue might be strained as a result of the head being jerked back and forth often. Often centered close to the base of the skull, whiplash headaches may also include neck discomfort or stiffness, vertigo, and exhaustion.
Headache from Occipital Neuralgia (Inflamed Nerve)
Upper cervical (neck) nerve roots may be inflamed or the greater occipital nerve may be irritated during an accident You may feel discomfort from the neck/base of the skull up the back of the head, including pain, soreness, burning, numbness, and tingling. It is frequently delicate even to touch.