Living in Atlanta, driving can be a little challenging. In a city with so many tourist spots and visitors from across the globe, having good traffic conditions is rarely seen. If you are from Atlanta, you must be aware of how uncertain it gets.
Long traffic jams, unpredicted road conditions, drivers who are impossible to maintain ethical conundrums on the roads – there is just so much hassle! Living in the city for years may help you understand the driving regimen in Atlanta, but for new drivers and re-locators, it can certainly be one heck of a task.
Now being in an accident isn’t just about the damage done to your vehicle. Many people get serious injuries during an accident, and if not treated properly, they can turn into significant illnesses with chronic pain and a lifetime of medication/therapy.
We will discuss some significant injuries that an individual may suffer due to a car accident and their regular course of treatment.
Table of Contents
1. Traumatic Brain Injury
Your brain is the most sensitive part of the body. Any damage to the brain causes damage to your nervous system and the ability to function correctly. Traumatic Brain Injuries can be slow and show symptoms over time, but, in most cases, you must go to an ER immediately.
Symptoms of TBI
Some general symptoms of TBI are:
- Memory loss
- Concentration issues
- Blurry vision
- Problems in making general movement
- Slurred speech
- Tinnitus
- Headache
- Nausea
Treatment for TBI
Mild traumatic brain injury often does not need surgery. You will just be recommended OTC medication and bed rest. Apart from simple medicines, you will be required to rest and avoid any kind of extreme physical activity until the doctor approves it for you. Follow-up treatment is compulsory because a mild injury can worsen over time if you do not take it seriously.
Severe injuries, on the other hand, require emergency treatment. In this variant, the doctor’s focus on ensuring the person has ample oxygen and blood flow, sound blood pressure, and avoiding other head or neck damage.
2. Spinal Cord Injury
Your spinal cord is the most important part of the body because it consists of the Central Nervous System. The CNS is responsible for the overall health and functionality of your organs. Unfortunately, a spinal cord injury is highly complex, and it can lead to permanent damage. Most doctors show hopelessness if they see any sort of damage to the spinal cord. This is because there is no true cure for nervous system damage.
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury
Some general symptoms of a spinal cord injury are:
- Numbness
- Fatigue
- Inability to move
- Tingling sensations
- Paralysis
- Loss of control over bowel movements
- Pressure in the entire spine
Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are kind of irreversible. Once it happens, it happens. Fortunately, with the development of technology, we will be able to find a way to make a damaged nervous system work again. Presently, accident doctors in Atlanta focus on preventing any further damage to the injury.
Most of the people who suffer from minor injuries are easily able to come back to their regular life by incorporating alternate care therapy such as chiropractic care and physical therapy.
After an accident, if you feel that your spine is immobile or suffering from intense pressure, call an ambulance or ask someone to rush you to the nearest emergency room. They will give you painkillers, collars, and imaging tests to understand your injury’s extent. Afterward, your doctor will suggest a plan that suits the complexity of your injury. Make sure to follow directions and seek regular therapy for a better lifestyle.
3. Internal Injuries
You are seriously wrong if you think that not having any visible injuries means that the accident was harmless. Most people who do not have any external injuries suffer from internal ones that can really damage their organs. Internal injuries can deteriorate organ health immediately and over time – especially if you do not seek immediate treatment.
Most of the time, organ damage results in internal bleeding, and it fails to conduct vital functions. Muscle damage, whiplash, liver bleeding, and kidney damage are some of the most common injuries that people may suffer from during a car accident.
Symptoms of Internal Injuries
Some general symptoms of internal injuries are:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Passing out
- Difficulty moving around
- Sharp pain in the affected organ
- Concentration issues
- Nausea
- Loss of control over bowel movement
Treatment of Internal Injuries
Internal bleeds are typically detected by tests, like physical tests, along with a detailed evaluation of your previous medical record. These tests and practices will help the doctor determine the severity and complexity of the internal injury.
For evaluation, imaging tests are conducted. An X-ray will show damage to the bones. Apart from that, a CT-Scan will help the doctors determine the damage caused in tissues, blood vessels, and muscles. For example, a whiplash doctor will conduct CT-Scan to determine the severity of the issue.
4. Fractures and Broken Bones
When the car hits another object/vehicle on the road, your body will bump into different objects. Fractures can create pressure on your bones. This pressure can result in broken legs, ribs, limbs, feet, and wrists. Few car crash victims experience a fractured pelvis.
The severity of a fracture varies from minor cracks that simply need a cast to severe fractures or complex compound fractures that could necessitate surgery to heal.
Symptoms of Fractures
Some general symptoms of fractures are:
- Inability to move the broken region
- Swelling in the affected area
- Discoloration of the fractured region
- Sharp pain
Treatment of Fractures
Your doctor will determine the affected area through X-Ray and MRI. You will be subjected to wear a walking boot, plaster, or crutches that may be necessary to limit the strain on the bone before healing occurs. Most of the time just immobilization works just fine. Surgery is required on rare occasions if the issue is complex – for instance, complex fractures or crushed bones. Since you will be unable to walk, make sure that you don’t put a strain on the affected region unless reported okay by the doctor.
5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Just like internal injuries, a person can also suffer from mental health issues after an accident. Most people have issues connecting and accepting the trauma that they have gone through.
You don’t have to witness a major accident with deaths and all to experience PTSD. Emotional trauma can actually be caused by the simplest of health issues.
When you have post-traumatic stress disorder, activities that were once normal may become frightening, if not difficult. Following a car crash, you will be able to recover with your mental health care and physical pain with proper treatment.
Symptoms of PTSD
Some general symptoms of PTSD are:
- Nightmares
- Reminders of trauma
- Nausea
Treatment
It is more about your own willpower to get over the trauma. However, many people have reported that they feel significantly better after talking to a professional therapist.
Conclusion
Car accidents in Atlanta can lead to several different types of health complications and medical issues. You can experience internal, external, and even mental health complications.
It is mandatory to visit an accident doctor in Atlanta. They will diagnose your problem and help you recover before a humble accident injury turns into something severe. Just make sure to follow their advice.
