What's the Difference between headache & migraine after a Car Accident?

A headache and migraine are two different but serious injuries that can arise from a car accident. It is very important to never ignore any kind of headache after a St. Louis car crash. In this post, we will try and understand what the difference is between a migraine and headache.

I am exclusivley a St. Louis accident lawyer an have seen that tension headaches are quite similar to migraine after an accident. It is often difficult to differentiate between the two. However, unlike some types of migraine, tension headaches usually do not cause visual disturbances such as flashing lights, blind spots, vomiting, nausea, slurred speed, one sided numbness or weakness and abdominal pain. Another common difference between the two is that migraine is often aggravated by physical activity, while tension headaches are not. Some of the common symptoms of a migraine attack are:

* Pain on one side or both sides of your head
* Pulsating or throbbing pain
* Sensitivity to sound, light or even smells
* Blurred vision
* Nausea and vomiting
* Lightheadedness that may be followed by fainting

If left untreated, a migraine attack may last from 4-72 hours, however, the frequency with which the headaches occur may vary from person to person. A person may experience a migraine attack once or more in a month.

When to see a doctor for migraine?

As we said, one should not ignore headache after a car accident because it could be the first sign of a traumatic brain injury, closed head injury or a concussion. Migraine headaches are often undiagnosed even after serious car crashes. This happens, because doctors, lawyers and even the victim focuses on the more obvious injuries such as back injuries or broken bones. So, even after the victim reports his/her headaches to the treating the doctor, they will often wait for months before making a referral to a neurologist.

If you experience any signs of migraine after a car accident, you should keep a record of the attacks, and how they were treated. You should see your doctor as soon as possible to discuss the potential problem. If you have a history of headaches, report any change in pattern to the doctor. You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms:

* An abrupt and severe headache
* Headache after a head injury (like a car accident), especially if the headache gets worse
* Headache with stiff neck, fever, mental confusion, double vision, seizures, numbness, trouble speaking, or weakness
* A chronic headache that becomes worse after exertion, coughing, a sudden movement, or straining
* New headache in people above 50 years

Seeking legal help after a car accident

Headaches after a car accidents can be debilitating, and can make your life difficult. You may need medication and therapy to treat your headaches. If you have been experiencing headaches after a car accident, speak to a St. Louis car wreck lawyer, who can get you compensated for all your injuries including your headaches.