How Can Whiplash Affect You?

When Pennsylvanian residents are rear-ended, whiplash is not uncommon. While it is a common injury in topics of discussion, many people do not know how serious it is. Today we will take a look at how whiplash injuries affect victims in the short and long term.

Mayo Clinic lists the symptoms of whiplash injury. It can include:

• Neck stiffness or pain

• Tingling or numbness in the arms

• Headaches

• Pain or loss of range of motion in the neck

• Dizziness and fatigue

• Pain or tenderness in the upper back and shoulders

This list already contains symptoms that the public does not discuss. Most people think that whiplash is only a sore neck. That is an understatement. Neck pain is a common symptom, but whiplash can affect the entire upper body. Victims of whiplash may be unable to move their arms or head. This can be detrimental to workers who need full range of motion to do their job. Even daily duties like cooking or cleaning become difficult or impossible.

More severe cases of whiplash come with other symptoms as well. These may include:

• Disturbances to sleep patterns

• Blurred vision

• Ringing in the ears

• Trouble concentrating

• Trouble remembering things

• Increased irritability or depression

Many of these symptoms are close to symptoms found in head injuries. After all, whiplash involves the entire head and neck. It is possible for the brain to hit the inside of the skull because of whiplash. This results in concussive damage that a victim may not even notice at first. For these reasons, anyone suffering from whiplash should see a medical professional.