Posted in Car Accidents,Personal Injury on August 10, 2018
Many people are reluctant to see a medical professional after a car accident unless their injuries are severe. Some injuries, though, aren’t immediately apparent, while others take effect over time. One such issue is fibromyalgia. Though most people don’t realize it, fibromyalgia after a car accident is not unusual.
If you’ve been suffering from this challenging disease and have recently been in a car accident, consider discussing your case with a Long Beach car accident lawyer who has experience with car accidents and their connection to fibromyalgia.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a condition marked by chronic pain characterized by a persistent, dull ache. Sufferers of fibromyalgia also often have a sense of fatigue and exhaustion, as well as difficulty concentrating and thinking. Many patients report a “fog” over their mind while in pain. These symptoms can cause a severe hindrance to daily life, possibly creating major complications for someone’s life.
Patients suffering from the disorder often report sensitive pressure points on their body that persist over time. These can be tender sores that may not heal. Pain from fibromyalgia often coexists with other painful conditions, such as migraines. Other people may also suffer from sleep problems.
Fibromyalgia pain does not necessarily have a specific cause. Patients will experience uncomfortable and unpleasant aches even if they are otherwise healthy. Sickness and injury are not necessarily factors in the pain reported by fibromyalgia patients. Additionally, injuries such as bruises are often more painful for patients with this disorder.
Most doctors believe fibromyalgia causes pain by amplifying the sensation of pain when the brain processes sensations. On the cellular level, more cells carry pain signals and less reduce it. Currently, no known cures exist for the disorder, although certain treatments help manage pain and discomfort.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
A few different risk factors may predict fibromyalgia. Women, for example, are more likely to experience the aches and pains of the disorder than men. Arthritis, infections, genetics and psychological disorders can also contribute to the onset of fibromyalgia.
One important factor in the development of this type of chronic pain is a traumatic event. Doctors are not yet certain as to the exact mechanism, but a traumatizing physical or mental event can cause the development of fibromyalgia. This is why it may also be a result of car crashes.
Auto accidents are emotionally stressful situations and may involve severe and painful physical injuries. There is some evidence to suggest significant nerve pain in a single incident can increase pain signals even after the event is over. Following a car crash, your body and mind may experience intense emotional and physical stress. The pain receptors in the brain can adapt to this pain, possibly being easier to trigger in the future.
Chronic pain can be a lifetime condition, and managing it may require significant resources and time. Patients may need physical therapy or other forms of pain management treatment to cope with the fibromyalgia. Other patients may require chronic medication to handle the aches and pains and go about their daily lives. These treatments are expensive and if they are required as the result of an auto accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Pain and suffering are serious concerns, and you should not have to endure them without help.
When to Talk with an Attorney
Fibromyalgia is still somewhat of a mystery, but researchers have discovered a link between car accidents and this serious issue. Explain your symptoms and other harms you suffered in the car accident to your doctor, then call one of our Long Beach personal injury attorneys. Another’s negligence may have caused this issue, and you shouldn’t have to pay for the consequences of it on your own.