How Can I Tell If I’m Suffering Internal Injuries After An Accident?

Your body goes through a lot during an accident of any scale. In some of the more severe cases, victims have been known to sustain internal bleeding which can be fatal if left ignored. But how do you know when it’s happening? Learn the signs of how to tell if you’re suffering internal injuries after an accident before reaching out to your local Impact Medical office for accident treatment near you.

Areas Susceptible to Internal Bleeding

Where do you check for internal bleeding? The most common parts that suffer from internal bleeding after an accident are the joints, muscles, intestines, and the brain. Any of these areas can lead to greater injury if left untreated, but as you can imagine, anything involving the head is especially cause for alarm. However, the signs aren’t always obvious. This is why it’s always best to approach post-accident care with a “better safe than sorry” mindset because it can turn into something fatal.

Intense Pain In the Torso Region

Although the signs aren’t always clear as day, it’s extremely common for internal bleeding in the intestines (and the torso region in general) to be identified by intense pain. This is more likely to occur after a high-impact collision either from direct impact with a hard object or from the restriction of your seatbelt. Even if the pain is considered mild, it’s worth getting it checked out by a licensed medical professional.

Be mindful of pain in these areas:

Chest
Abdomen
Stomach
Groin

Visible Bruises Above the Affected Area

Bruises aren’t just an indicator of exterior impact. When the body goes through internal bleeding, the symptoms can rise to the surface through your soft tissue and become visible. If you notice any dark, purplish bruises on your skin, don’t assume it’s from blunt trauma. Get it diagnosed as it could very well be a sign of internal bleeding underneath.

Uncontrollable Nausea and Vomiting

Accidents can be traumatic for anybody, especially when it’s the first time being in this type of situation. Going through an unfamiliar experience like a car crash can cause anyone to emit negative reactions like anxiety, fear, and confusion which could lead to dizziness and nausea. But no matter what emotions are running through your mind, nausea and dizziness could potentially be a sign of internal blood loss, more particularly in the head. If this is the case, there’s no time to contemplate if it’s the former or the latter.

Going Into Shock

Many things can trigger shock, and extreme blood loss is one of them. This includes both internal and external bleeding. If you experience the signs of shock when you don’t see any visible bleeding, then there’s a good chance that the blood loss is happening internally. Be on the lookout for these symptoms if you believe you may be going through shock:

Lethargy
Weakness
Lightheadedness
Increased heart rate

Additional Symptoms of Internal Bleeding

We just listed a few of the most common (and the most dire) signs to watch out for which may indicate internal bleeding, but there are plenty of other symptoms one can experience such as:

Low blood pressure
Blood in the urine, stool, or vomit
Numbness or tingling
Muscle fatigue
Blurred vision
Shallow breaths
Severe headaches
And more

Unless you are trained to diagnose your own symptoms, the best thing you can do is seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Call Your Local Impact Medical For a Consultation

At Impact Medical, we can diagnose your accident injury symptoms and administer the appropriate treatment. This may include physical therapy, medications, or coaching on lifestyle changes. Don’t delay, contact your local office today to schedule an appointment!