When you think of car accident injuries, a few scrapes and bruises or a common injury like whiplash might come to mind first. While many people do experience back pain from a car accident or at some point in their lives, you might not consider stomach pain as a sign of something more serious after a car accident. However, like with back pain, stomach pain should also be taken very seriously and you will want to speak with your doctor about it as soon as possible. When you meet with a doctor for back pain, it helps to mention any other symptoms you might have experienced since the car accident, including stomach pain, indigestion, and other abdominal symptoms.
Stomach Pain after a Car Accident
Injuries to the stomach and abdomen from a car accident can be serious and even life-threatening. As soon as you notice these types of symptoms, you should see a doctor to rule out life-threatening injuries like internal bleeding and organ damage. You might not notice stomach pain or any other pain symptoms immediately after a car accident. In fact, it can sometimes take days and even a week or more for all your symptoms to appear. This is because of how our bodies respond to the trauma of an event like a car accident.
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, the body starts pumping you with adrenaline, which helps you manage the moment but can mask pain and other symptoms temporarily. The shock and stress of being in a car accident may also prevent you from feeling pain and discomfort right away. If you notice bruising or cuts along your abdomen or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, then talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Back Pain after a Car Accident
Back pain is common after a car accident because of how your whole body was likely jostled and shaken up during the wreck. Even in what might seem like a small fender-bender, the force of impact can put a lot of pressure on your spine and the muscles in your back. If you twist or strain out of a normal position then you may develop stiff, sore back muscles when you try to bend and move certain ways. It is also possible for a car accident to cause a spinal injury like a herniated disc, where a spinal disc separating two vertebrae bulges out of its normal area and puts pressure on a nearby nerve. There are many causes for back pain after a car accident and a doctor for back pain will be able to properly diagnose and treat you.
When to See a Doctor
When it comes to car accident injuries, it is better to get checked out by a qualified team of car accident doctors sooner rather than later. Your doctor can rule out any serious injuries and also get a head start on recognizing any hidden injuries or delayed symptoms that might bother you in the future. Serious and even life-threatening injuries like internal bleeding can cause symptoms like headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, light-headedness, and blood in the urine or stool. If you notice any of these symptoms and are concerned, you should speak with a doctor as soon as possible.
Diagnosing and Treating Car Accident Injuries
Your doctor will likely perform a physical examination while also talking with you about the symptoms you have been experiencing, how long they have lasted, and any changes in the severity of your pain. In some instances, your doctor may also want to run diagnostic imaging tests like an X-ray or CT scan to rule out serious or life-threatening injuries and may proceed with non-surgical treatments for your back pain. When you visit a car accident doctor for stomach pain and back pain after a car accident, they can develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses your specific symptoms and the root cause of your pain so that you can begin the healing and recovery process.
If you are looking for a car accident doctor near you, contact us to find a doctor for back pain and other symptoms you might be experiencing. With locations all across metro Atlanta, our team of doctors is available to assist you and help you find relief from your pain and healing from any car accident injuries.
