Accidents are common events that result in injury or harm to your body. It is estimated a large number of people go through some sort of injury due to accidents globally each year. It is essential to seek medical help right away when you injure yourself.
Houston Medical ER physicians and nurses can offer comprehensive treatments for an accident injury to get you on the road to recovery quickly.
An introduction to accident injury
Any injury which is unintended, and normally unwanted, that causes damage or trauma to your body is known as an accident injury. Accidents can occur anywhere, including your home, during traveling on the road, in school, sports field, or in the workplace.
There are several accident injuries, some of them include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Fractures
- Lacerations
- Whiplash
- Burns
- Facial injuries and scars
- Head injuries
- Neck or back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Limb loss
Clinical manifestations of accident injuries
You may suffer from some of the following symptoms, after an accident injury:
- Swelling and tenderness
- Pain and discomfort
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Stiffness
- Confusion
- Dizziness and disorientation
- Headaches
- Unconsciousness
- Muscle soreness
- Body aches
- Wound infections
- Pus discharge
- Facial deformities
- Reduced mobility
- Internal injury and bleeding
- Vision and hearing problems
Some injuries can be minor without many debilitating symptoms, that can be managed with proper care and rest. However, major injuries require medical intervention to prevent serious complications like limb loss, amputations, and permanent disability.
The diagnostic investigation involved in accident injury
Accident injuries are most often dealt with in the ER (emergency room) and the prime focus is pain relief. Your ER nurse will attend to you and check your vitals like BP, heart rate, pulse, oxygen level, and respiratory rate.
For minor injuries, your ER physician will record your medical history, and accident history, followed by a physical exam to assess the severity of the injury.
You may require diagnostic tests to determine the type, extent, and location of the injury and the presence of any infection. These include:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- X-rays
- CT scans
- MRIs
Interventions and modalities involved in accident injury
Your ER physician and team may offer the following treatments based on the severity of your injury:
- Oxygen to address breathing issues
- Wound care to control the bleeding
- Pain medication
- Fracture care to regain range of motion
- IV fluid rehydration
- IV antibiotics
- Nebulization
Bottom line
Accidents are common and can happen anywhere. Injuries can be mild to severe and require medical intervention accordingly.
However, with appropriate safety precautions and awareness of your actions and environment, many accidents can be avoided or prevented.
