A concussion that doesn’t seem to go away. After you have suffered a head trauma and a concussion has been diagnosed, rest is mainly prescribed. After a period of rest, healthy eating and, where necessary, painkillers, the headache will go away on its own. Unfortunately, this does not always happen and you continue to suffer from the consequences of the trauma. This may then be a case of Post-concussion Syndrome or Post-concussion Syndrome.
Contents
- Concussion doesn’t go away, symptoms of Post-concussion Syndrome
- Causes of Postconcussion Syndrome
- Treatment of Post-concussion Syndrome
- Prognosis
Concussion doesn’t go away, symptoms of Post-concussion Syndrome
How do you know if you suffer from Post-concussion Syndrome or Post-concussion Syndrome (PCS) ? In the past, the term was used to describe the set of symptoms that can occur after sustaining a concussion or other mild brain injury. These symptoms do not have to stay the same but can change over time. Where initially mainly physical complaints arise, over time only psychological complaints may remain. Complaints that may fall under Post-concussion Syndrome are mainly:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Feeling light-headed, dizziness
- Hypersensitivity to light
- Hypersensitivity to sound
- Double vision
- Tinnitus (noise or ringing in the ears)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems, forgetfulness
- Get irritated easily
- Depression
- Fears and nightmares
- Insomnia and restlessness
Headache is the most common complaint in people with Post-concussion Syndrome. It is striking that the headache can often feel different from the ‘normal headache’ that you have had from time to time in the past. The headaches may also be more frequent and longer lasting. Dizziness is a complaint that is particularly common in elderly people who have had a concussion. This increases the risk of falling and extra caution is therefore required.
The link between psychological complaints and a previous concussion is sometimes overlooked by general practitioners, which is why PCS often remains undiagnosed. For example, when it comes to depression or sleep problems, this can sometimes get in the way of effective treatment.
When making a diagnosis, a medication-related headache must also be ruled out. This can occur if one has used excessive painkillers during the period in which one is recovering from the direct consequences of the concussion. In serious cases, recovery from this requires hospitalization or withdrawal, especially when stronger painkillers than ibuprofen and paracetamol are involved.
Causes of Postconcussion Syndrome
The cause of the condition seems clear, but what makes one person recover completely from a concussion while another suffers from the consequences for months or years? This remains a controversial issue within medicine. In some cases this will involve permanent brain damage that cannot be discovered during examinations. Brain trauma can also ‘trigger’ a psychological condition to which one is predisposed.
Various types of physical examinations have revealed a number of possible causes, but the evidence is too minimal for a definitive conclusion. For example, in patients who have been subjected to a positron emission tomography (PET scan), it has been noted that a concussion can cause a reduced release of glucose from the brain for a longer or shorter period. There is also some evidence of changes in brain blood flow that do not recover after a concussion.
Treatment of Post-concussion Syndrome
The treatment of PCS varies from patient to patient and is basically symptom-oriented . For example, painkillers, anti-depressants and sleeping pills can be prescribed for headaches, depression, anxiety and sleeping problems. In addition, almost half of the patients are referred to a psychologist. This mainly concerns people who can no longer work due to their persistent complaints. With guidance, you can work towards a gradual return to work. Cognitive behavioral therapy in particular has a positive effect on this group. A visit to a psychologist may also be important to rule out post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).
Prognosis
Those who suffer from the consequences of a concussion often have only one question: how long do the symptoms last? Research has shown that people suffering from Post-Concussion Syndrome usually recover within days or weeks. In patients whose complaints persist for longer, this usually does not last longer than six months.
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