Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

SERIOUS injuries can significantly change a person’s life. They affect one’s relationships with family, friends and co employees. They affect the ability to do one’s job, earn a living and pursue and enjoy life’s basic activities.

There is a wide range of medical issues that can arise from an accident. Whatever one’s condition might be, it is important to immediately seek medical treatment to restore ones’ health and capacity to live fully. Hence, there is a need to obtain, not simply medical treatments, but the right medical treatments.

Whether you have been brought to the ER or are seeing your own doctor, you must cooperate fully with your attending medical provider. Speak completely and honestly about your pains and concerns. Do not exaggerate your condition but also, do not minimize the extent of the pain or impairment. If you have a medical history or ongoing condition, such as diabetes or a heart condition, that may affect your treatments, tell your doctor. Comply fully with your doctor’s medical advice. Never be afraid to ask questions. If you feel you cannot express yourself completely to your doctor, have a family member or friend speak for you. It is very important that your doctor understands your condition to be able to treat you effectively.

Some accident-related injuries are obvious: bruising, cuts, lacerations, and broken bones all show the damage that needs to be treated right away. But other injuries are not so obvious, particularly when these injuries affect the brain or the spinal cord. Symptoms of the damage to these injured areas may not appear until days, weeks or even months later. Because these injuries are not immediately obvious, they are often more difficult to recognize, diagnose, and treat.

Treatment of these injuries may also require consulting with other medical specialists. For example, a client who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury may not only need a neurologist but alsoa neuropsychiatrist or a neuro-otologist to fully diagnose and treat these subtle injuries. One who suffered a spinal cord injury or the loss of a limb may need extensive physical rehabilitation. Even if one has a health insurance plan, the necessary treatment may involve medical experts or other facilitiesbeyond what the managed care plan is willing to provide. The injured will need to consult with other specialists outside the plan.