<p>DS was in a car crash two days ago where the side and side curtain airbags deployed. He complained last night that he is having balance problems when he gets up from a sitting position–he stumbled initially and had to retry four times yesterday. There appears to be little medical research on the subject, but the studies I did find reported balance problems in 1/3 to 1/2 of the (limited number of) subjects studied. </p>
<p>Having been in an accident myself in August, I related to DS how scared I was when I realized I was in a crash. His only recollection was of how terribly loud it was. The autobody guy said three charges went off in my son’s accident: one each for the airbags and a third for the seatbelt. </p>
<p>So, does anyone have experience with airbag deployment in a car crash and subsequent balance issues? Is it temporary? I’ll be taking him to the doctor this afternoon, but CC parents are always such a great source I thought I’d see what your experiences have been. Obviously I’m delighted the airbags/seatbelts did their jobs and prefer balance/hearing issues to the likely alternative consequences had the car not been equipped with them.</p>
<p>I have not heard of balance issues from air bags deploying but am very prone to vertigo and have to keep motion sickness pills with me at all times in case of a sudden attack (it can get very severe to where it actually seems like the room is physically spinning around which makes me violently ill). Mine is caused by something to do with my ears - I wonder if the loud sound of the air bags deploying could have something to do with your son’s problem. When I first developed it the doc also checked for neurological issues (not brain scans or anything but kind of like a drunk test (not that I have ever had one! but what I have seen on TV) - touching my finger to my nose etc). I honestly thought I had a brain tumor the first time it happened as it never crossed my mind that my ears could cause such devastating results - picture me staggering around bumping into walls and throwing up. I know - lovely. It can be pretty scary so I can see why your son is concerned.</p>
<p>Hopefully it is some side affect of the air bags. Let us know what the doctor says. Good luck.</p>
<p>That stinks, Swimcat. My neighbor had that problem for several weeks last year but, thankfully, it turned out to be a virus that went away on its own.</p>
<p>Fortunately he is not experiencing dizziness or nausea. I assume the loud sounds of the airbags deploying (I read somewhere the noise is (up to???) 170 decibels!) have damaged his ear/ears and his brain is missing one of the inputs it needs to know which way is up! Hopefully, it won’t be permanent.</p>
<p>Any possibility of a concussion from the accident? A friend’s D had balance problems late last year that turned out to be the result of a concussion suffered when she was hit in the head by a soccer ball during practice. That concussion wasn’t diagnosed for over a month (the ball didn’t hit her that hard, so no one suspected concussion) and she eventually had other symptoms, but it started with balance/coordination issues.</p>
<p>I would get him to a doctor immediately if not sooner. After what happened to Natasha Richardson I would be very worried about undiagnosed brain injury.</p>
<p>Get him to a doctor… Any sort of loss of balance following a trauma is an ER situation, so don’t wait 'til this afternoon… This is a <em>now</em> kind of thing…!</p>
<p>If you want the ER’s opinion on whether he should wait, call them first and see whether or not they think you can wait until this afternoon. My guess is that they’re going to say bring him in ASAP.</p>
<p>Was he seen by a doctor after the crash at all? </p>
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<p>They won’t tell you anything - its a liability for them to give medical advice on the phone. They will just tell you “if you think you need to be seen, come to the ER - we’re here all day”</p>
<p>Am sorry to hear this happened. Having been rear-ended by a semi-truck cab (thankfully no rig attached) a week after my 25-year old nephew was killed in a car wreck, I completely understand the trauma factor.</p>
<p>When I read the first two words of the thread title, my first assumption was that this was going to be about burns from the airbags. That’s what I hear about most often. But you’re absolutely correct, rather superficial burns or a little vertigo are better than not having the airbags at all.</p>
<p>DD was in an accident last year and the front airbag deployed. As teriwtt says the burns were more of a factor on her face and neck. She did have a slight concussion and experienced dizziness for a couple of days. Some of that dizziness led to some balance issues which cleared up within about a week. I’m glad to read he’s going to a dr. today.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, folks. DS saw the doctor this afternoon. Doc did a neuro exam and presumed DS has a mild concussion, which was not a concern. DS was told not to engage in any activity that might cause further head trauma for the next three weeks (like, he can’t drive in the upcoming electric car competition as cars have been known to roll), as further head trauma could have very serious consequences. He ordered a head CT (stat!), which we got, and had read immediately, after the doctor appointment. The CT was normal. DS was told to contact doctor if imbalance persists or new symptoms develop.</p>
<p>Sheesh, NJres, I’m glad I didn’t think of Natasha Richardson! I’d have been worried sick!</p>
<p>Teri, he does have minor burns from the side curtain airbags–but nothing significant. The lady at the autobody place said she has seen full face make-up transferred in its entirety to the front airbags…I would think that would take some serious friction.</p>
<p>If it persists, maybe a consultation with an ENT should be pursued. Vertigo is often an inner ear cause. If the air bag caused massive pressure change in the ear canal…</p>
<p>Glad to hear he is OK. I agree that the dizziness is more likely the result of the force of the impact of accident itself, rather than the airbag. </p>
<p>And the “rather superficial” burns mentioned above are not always superficial. I lost skin from my forearm from the steering wheel bag in such a way that it was equivalent to a 2-3rd degree burn. It peeled the skin right off. The ER nurse couldn’t figure out where all the blood had come from. Then I rotated out my arm and showed her. The scarring, some 16 years later is rather impressive. I found the sidebags to be loud and all, but more likely to deploy against a clothed or hair covered area.</p>
<p>sunnyflorida,
Thanks for your story. I have in recent years heard that the old “10 and 2” position of where to put your hands on the steering wheel is wrong with airbags, and that you should have them at “9 and 3” to minimize contact, should that airbag deploy.
I have been lazy and liked the old placement. After hearing about your scars, from today on I shall hold the wheel at the the places least likely to put my arms in the way!</p>
<p>Eh, there’s no “correct” or “incorrect” way to hold the steering wheel. You should hold it in whichever way allows you to best control your vehicle and drive safely. </p>
<p>It should also be pointed out that airbag technology has advanced significantly in the 16 years since sunnyflorida received his/her injuries from an airbag. In the multitude of car accidents I’ve seen, I have never seen anything more than minor thermal or friction burns from modern airbags. In fact, modern cars are by and large extremely safe even in severe accidents.</p>
<p>Mominva, I suspect that’s what DS’s doctor is thinking. The studies I found do suggest the noise of the blast that inflates the airbag causes damage in the inner ear which causes the imbalance. Certainly permanent imbalance or hearing loss (which he doesn’t seem to have) is highly undesirable, but for the time being, ruling out brain damage is the priority. If his imbalance issues persist past “early next week” (so, I’m thinking past Tuesday) or if he develops other symptoms, the doc wants to see him again.</p>
<p>Sunnyflorida, thanks for enduring early airbags so that they were able to evolve into today’s. DS’s only visible burn is a 1cm x 2cm pink spot on his left cheek.</p>
<p>I’m watching him like a hawk and he’s holding stair railings and car door frames like an old man (which makes him sound a lot less steady than he actually is). The imbalance is significant enough that he notices, but I can’t say that I do–and I am watching. I am confident I am not minimizing.</p>