| Disease | Injury | Nutrition | Poison |
| Special Topic | Surgery | Symptoms | Test |
| |
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| Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention |
Whiplash |
| Definition: |
Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues of the neck that occurs from a sudden jerking or "whipping" of the head. This type of motion strains the muscles and the ligaments of the neck beyond their normal range of motion. |
| Considerations: |
Whiplash often occurs when a vehicle stops suddenly in a car crash or is struck from behind. Either of these two actions causes things in the vehicle to be thrown forward -- including passengers. A seat belt will keep a person's body from being thrown forward, but the head may snap forward, then backward, causing a whiplash injury in the neck. |
| Causes: |
In addition to car accidents, whiplash can be caused by roller coasters and other amusement park rides, sports injuries, or being punched or shaken. (Whiplash is one of the hallmarks of shaken baby syndrome.) |
Reviewed By: Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Benjamin D. Roye, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Orthopaedics, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (6/6/2001).
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