Can Swelling Indicate Serious Injuries After An Accident?

There are a few things most people expect after they get hurt. Whether it’s a sprained ankle or a car accident, you can be sure you will most likely feel sore and stiff and experience some swelling. These symptoms are so common because it’s the body’s way to signal to you that something is wrong! Pain is a great indicator to pinpoint what area of the body is affected, and swelling is your body’s way of putting a cast around the wound to reduce movement and protect it from outside factors. In contrast, your body gets to work on healing it! But, if you can experience swelling even if an injury isn’t severe, is it really anything to worry about?

Physical Signs Of Swelling

While differentiating swelling from a minor injury to a severe injury can be difficult, there are a few things to keep an eye on. If you or a loved one is experiencing any one, or a combination of these symptoms, you should see a medical professional, immediately.

Quick onset of swelling

After an injury, it is normal for some slight swelling to occur days or even hours after an accident. But, if you’re injured and intense swelling begins within minutes to hours after the accident, it is usually a clear indicator that something is up.

Bruising

On top of the quick onset of swelling, keep an eye out for bruising or discoloration. If bruising occurs after an accident, that is an indicator that could mean you have sustained a fracture, torn ligament, or internal bleeding.

Numbness or tingling

After an accident, a clear indicator that you should seek medical intervention is numbness or tingling in the body. This can occur where the injury happens in the body, but it can often spread to other areas of the body as well. This can be an indicator of a pinched or damaged nerve, or nerve group.

Signs Of A Traumatic Brain Injury

Another type of swelling, that is considerably more dangerous, is swelling of the brain. Since it’s not as easy to spot as a swollen ankle or sprained wrist, it’s crucial you know the symptoms of swelling in the brain. A Traumatic Brain Injury isn’t something that should be ignored or put off, as it can lead to life-long complications. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the symptoms below, seek medical intervention immediately.

Headache

If after an accident you get even a slight headache that persists for more than an hour, this could be a sign of a TBI. Most people think a headache needs to be pounding to raise some red flags, but after an accident, even a minor headache can be a warning sign.

Nausea or vomiting

A huge indicator of swelling in the brain after an accident is a queasy feeling. This can start immediately, or start a few days after an accident. But just know, if you recently experienced an accident, nausea is not an isolated event and you should seek medical care.

Slurred speech or blurred vision

This is a clear sign of severe head injury. When certain areas of the brain are compromised, they will stop working and start showing physical signs of this decline. Again, these symptoms can happen immediately, or after an accident occurs.

There are countless more signs and symptoms of swelling in the body from a severe accident, so come see us at Impact Medical Dade City so our team can analyze and monitor symptoms to find the best treatment for you or your loved one. Give us a call at 813-706-5156 today! With an incredible team by your side, your road to recovery can be made easier.