How to Diagnose Whiplash

Whiplash is caused from a sudden, jerking stretch of the spine which causes a strain on the soft tissue. This can happen in car accidents, diving or any other strenuous sport or activity. You should learn how to diagnose whiplash in order to decide when you need to be taken to the doctor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Learn how whiplash feels in order to diagnose it. Most often the immediate side effects of whiplash include headaches and neck stiffness. These symptoms can take up to 24 hours to manifest.
2. Search for warning signs of severe whiplash. The trauma to the spine and head can cause memory loss or unconsciousness. Other symptoms can be pains in the back of the head and a pins and needles feeling in the shoulders and arms.
3. Ask questions of anyone complaining of whiplash like pains. Inquire about the activities he was taking place in before the pains began. If there was a sudden jolt to the head or neck, in any activity, he may have whiplash.
4. Seek a doctor to help diagnose whiplash. Though a doctor cannot perform many tests or scans to diagnose whiplash, he can usually gleen the diagnoses from the complaints of the patient and a detailed description of the activities before the symptoms began appearing.
5. Have the patient listen for a ringing in the ears and search for signs of blurred vision, as these can also be a way to diagnose whiplash after an accident.
6. Look for signs of a concussion. A concussion can show the same symptoms as whiplash, but can be much more dangerous. Search for signs of nausea, vomiting and an extreme lethargy. If a person is displaying these symptoms as well, they should be taken directly to the hospital.

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