How can you identify potential spinal injuries?

As a Kentucky resident who has been in a car accident, you may suffer from physical pains or injuries. However, some of these issues could go undetected for some time, or they may be considered less detrimental to your health than they actually are.

According to Mayo Clinic, spinal injuries are among those that can be difficult to detect. This is especially true for spinal cord injuries. Though broken bones can be picked up in scans, damage to the nerves are harder to pinpoint. Letting these issues sit can exacerbate the potential short and long term side effects of nerve damage.

For this reason, you should keep an eye out for the following symptoms, which are considered to be emergency signs that require immediate treatment:

• Paralysis
• Feelings of numbness, tingling or weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Easily upset balance
• Pressure in the neck, back or head area

Pain may also be a symptom of spinal injury. However, not every case is accompanied by pain. Even if you do not feel any, you should still go to the doctor if you show any of the other symptoms.

In some cases, you may also experience a loss of bowel or motor control. This can manifest in walking difficulties, which can also be worsened by poor balance. If you experience any loss of movement or sensations of stinging, you should also consider these potential signs of an emergency.

Due to the severity of injuries to the spine, you should get any potential symptoms checked out as quickly as you can to offset any permanent damage.