A slip and hard fall to the ground can cause them. So can a perceived minor fender-bender accident in which you sustained a quick head jolt. Or as a pedestrian being struck in the torso by a car. What are they? Hidden injuries with delayed symptoms that strike you hours later.
After such an incident, you felt seemingly OK, often bouncing right back up. You did not have immediate pain or injury, so you attempted to carry on with daily activities. That is until the dizziness began, the headache struck, or other unexplained health issues surfaced. A hidden injury such as internal bleeding surfaces, and by delaying treatment, you could suffer long-term effects that may even prove fatal.
Headaches, neck and abdominal pain
Here are some of the more common delayed injury symptoms:
- Headaches and dizziness: They mark a potential sign of a concussion or even traumatic brain injury. Slight headaches may worsen pointing to potential bleeding on the brain.
- Neck or shoulder pain: Such symptoms may represent a whiplash injury after a car accident. That neck stiffness or numbness may worsen, leading to unbearable pain and other complications such as nerve damage.
- Abdominal pain and torso bruises: Internal bleeding may be the reason why you suffer such pain. Delicate organs such as the heart, lungs, liver and spleen may have sustained serious injury.
- Back pain: Sometimes, back pain gradually worsens after an injury incident. It may take several hours before lower back pain surfaces, too. A cracked vertebrae may cause a lifetime of back pain and medical procedures.
After an incident, whether a fall on your head, a car accident or an altercation, you may have sustained an injury that has delayed symptoms. Get medical treatment as soon as you can and listen to your body.