Another condition that can be the result of a car accident is head trauma. And, like spinal cord injuries, head trauma is not always obvious to the victim. Nevertheless, if you are involved in a car accident and hit your head, you may suffer head trauma, and that trauma may cause seizures.
Unlike primary seizures which are the result of genetics, symptomatic seizures are the kind that may occur after a serious head injury. Of course, also like spinal cord injury disorders, symptomatic seizures may not occur at the scene of the accident, and instead may occur the next day or even the next week.
Post-Traumatic Epilepsy
Post-traumatic epilepsy is the general term for seizure disorder attributable to head trauma. If the trauma is severe enough, brain cells (neurons) may be destroyed. The later the seizures occur, the more damage to the brain; and the more likely it is that the symptomatic seizures will become a recurrent condition.
Should that happen, the condition then is considered epilepsy. That is why if you are aware that you’ve hit your head after a car accident, you should immediately have a neurological examination to rule out seizure disorder.
Symptoms Of Seizures
Seizures create an abnormal electrical discharge in the brain. Symptoms may include an inability to communicate; shaking and stiffness of the limbs, head and body; a feeling of being “out of it,” hearing strange sounds; changes in taste; sensing unusual feelings or smells; or seeing strange images.
Of course, this type of brain damage usually occurs after severe head trauma which is more obvious and is generally treated in an emergency room. However, when it comes to any type of head injury, even if you think you’re okay, the only wise thing to do is to see a doctor sooner rather than later.
