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Abdominal Pain From Car Accident

As you begin to notice injuries after a car wreck, it's very common to experience abdominal pain, bruising or cuts on the area, and stomach-related symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Like other car accident injuries, you should never ignore stomach pain. Seek injury treatment immediately to alleviate any discomfort and resolve underlying issues.

Get a deeper understanding of abdominal pain after a car accident so it'll be easier to communicate your stomach injury and receive appropriate treatment.

Common Causes of Stomach Pain After a Car Accident

It's typical for people to have abdominal trauma during a car accident, but why exactly does your stomach hurt hours or days following the wreck? Here are some common causes of abdominal pain after a car accident:

Blunt Force Trauma

Blunt force trauma to the abdomen can cause pain and nausea. Getting hit in the stomach by a flying object, direct blow, or sudden deceleration can damage organs and cause internal blooding. It's a serious injury that should be treated ASAP.

Seat Belt Injuries

Seat belts have reduced the severity of head and torso injuries but they can still cause abdominal injuries. Children are more likely to be injured by seat belts than adults because of their smaller size. Seat belts and airbags should always be fitted properly to drivers' bodies, and the belt should be snug across the stomach and low on the hips or thighs.

Whiplash

Whiplash causes damage to the spine, which can result in back and abdominal pain. Internal injuries can occur if the intestine is affected by whiplashes. Digestive issues can also present themselves if the intestines are damaged. Whiplash may cause bruises and other injuries to internal organs, including the stomach and intestine, leading to digestion complications.

Organ Compression

Abdominal pain may be caused by traumatic compression, which usually affects the liver, kidney, or bile duct. Compression of the stomach or intestines can cause internal bleeding and organ damage, and lacerations may occur as well.

What is Seat Belt Syndrome?

Seat belt syndrome describes injuries sustained when a person wearing a seat belt experiences sudden deceleration while restrained in a vehicle during a collision, impact, or rollover. Children have a higher risk for abdominal injuries due to undeveloped abdominal muscles and less body fat than adults.

Symptoms of seat belt syndrome include:

• ● Bruising
• ● Abdominal pain
• ● Muscle strain
• ● Leg weakness
• ● Dizziness
• ● Blood in urine or stool
• ● Urination or bowel movement changes
• ● Vomiting or coughing up blood

Difficulty breathing

The condition is diagnosed by a physical examination, but other tests may be ordered like X-rays, a CT scan, or a 'focused abdominal sonography in trauma' (FAST), which tests for free fluid in the abdominal cavity. In some cases, a laparotomy (abdominal surgery) is needed to identify and treat internal organ damage.

Signs of Stomach Injury After a Car Accident

A stomach injury can present itself in a variety of ways, which is why it's vital not to postpone treatment as the underlying issue could worsen. Let your treatment provider know if you're experiencing any of these signs:

Stomach Pain

Stomach pain after a car accident is usually caused by internal injuries. The pain can last for hours to days. Large bruises can be present and dizziness may occur due to blood loss.

Abdominal Bruises

Bruising on the abdomen can be caused by the seat belt or blunt force trauma. In more serious cases, it might be an indication of organ damage or internal bleeding.

Bloating

A stomach injury could result in bloating or swelling in the abdomen and be a sign of other issues, like organ damage. It may also indicate an abdominal hematoma, a rare but serious condition, that's caused by internal bleeding.

Gastrointestinal Distress

After an accident, you may experience diarrhea, gas, or other digestive issues from emotional and physical stress. While common, these symptoms may be caused by an injury to the intestinal tract or other conditions.

Disrupted Period

A woman's menstrual cycle can be disrupted after being in an accident due to injuries and stress, which affect her hormone levels and period. The absence of menstruation can cause hair loss, headaches, vision changes, excess facial and body hair, pelvic pain, and acne. Furthermore, it may lead to infertility and osteoporosis.

Holistic Injury Care in Orlando

If your stomach hurts after a collision, it's crucial to find a doctor near you with experience in car accident injuries. Don't take the "wait and see" approach as abdominal pain could signal a serious problem! Make an appointment with Metro Chirowell, a chiropractic injury care facility in Metro West Orlando, to get a holistic treatment plan that will improve your quality of life.