A migraine and pain in the head is never a pleasant sensation. They can be especially acute in the aftermath of a traumatic event like a car accident. It can make it challenging to focus on everyday tasks and live your normal life simply.
While there is no single definitive timeline for how long a headache lasts after a traumatic incident like a car crash, acute headaches and migraines can often last for up to three months; if they last longer than that, you may have a chronic condition on your hands.
What do these migraines feel like exactly? They usually begin to set in anywhere from 2 to 3 days following the initial blow of an accident. Symptoms can include:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Pulse-like feelings of pain
- Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness
- Difficult concentrating on the task at hand or retrieving memories
- Sudden shifts in mood and personality, from depression to nervousness and back again
- Sudden sensitivity to light and sound
These symptoms will range in severity. They may be continual or take place only once in a while. Again, if they persist for more than a quarter of the year, your doctor may be prepared to diagnose it as a persistent condition.
Keep in mind that your previous health history will also have an impact on your headaches and migraines; you are more likely to get a post-traumatic migraine if you already suffer from the condition occasionally, as well as if you have a long family history of headaches.
If these conditions persist, you may want to speak with your doctor or a health professional on a treatment plan to receive medicine and ways of alleviating the pain. You may want to explore other options, including physical therapy, speech therapy, relaxation techniques, and even working with a cognitive-behavioral specialist. A specialist can help you identify the right treatment plan for you, given that there are as many as 150 types of headaches possible, all of which can be exacerbated by the whiplash and impact of a bad automobile accident.
If you’re experiencing pain and seeking solutions for more effective coping, contact our team at East Coast Injury.