Persistent symptoms after a concussion (post-concussion syndrome)

Persistent symptoms after a concussion (post-concussion syndrome)

overview

Persistent post-concussion symptoms, also called post-concussion syndrome, occur when concussion symptoms persist beyond the expected recovery period after the initial injury. The usual recovery period is weeks to months. These symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, and problems with concentration and memory.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that usually occurs after a blow to the head. It can also occur with violent shaking and moving of the head or body. You don't have to lose consciousness to get a concussion or have persistent post-concussion symptoms. In fact, the risk of developing persistent symptoms after a concussion does not appear to be associated with the severity of the initial injury.

For most people, symptoms appear within the first seven to 10 days and disappear within three months. Sometimes they can persist for a year or longer.

The goal of treatment after a concussion is to effectively manage your symptoms.

Symptoms

Persistent symptoms after a concussion include:

• Kopfschmerzen
• Schwindel
• Ermüdung
• Reizbarkeit
• Angst
• Schlaflosigkeit
• Konzentrations- und Gedächtnisverlust
• Klingeln in den Ohren
• Verschwommenes Sehen
• Lärm- und Lichtempfindlichkeit
• Selten Geschmacks- und Geruchsverlust

Headaches after a concussion can vary and can feel like a tension headache or migraine. Most of the time it is a tension headache. These may be associated with a neck injury that occurred at the same time as the head injury.

When to go to the doctor?

Seek medical attention if you suffer a head injury severe enough to cause confusion or amnesia - even if you never lost consciousness.

If a concussion occurs during a sport, do not return to the game. Seek medical attention so you don't risk aggravating your injury.

Causes

Some experts believe that persistent symptoms after a concussion are caused by structural damage in the brain or a disruption in the messaging system within the nerves caused by the impact that caused the concussion.

Others believe that persistent symptoms after a concussion are related to psychological factors. The most common symptoms - headaches, dizziness and difficulty sleeping - are similar to those commonly experienced by people diagnosed with depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.

In many cases, both the physical damage caused by brain trauma and the emotional reactions to these effects play a role in the development of symptoms.

However, some research shows that certain factors are more common in people who develop persistent symptoms after a concussion than in those who do not. These factors include a history of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, significant life stressors, a poor social support system, and lack of coping skills.

Further research is needed to better understand how and why persistent postconcussive symptoms occur after some injuries and not others.

Risk factors

Risk factors for developing persistent postconcussive symptoms include:

• Das Alter. Studien haben gezeigt, dass zunehmendes Alter ein Risikofaktor für anhaltende postkonkussive Symptome ist.
• Sex. Bei Frauen werden mit größerer Wahrscheinlichkeit anhaltende Symptome nach einer Gehirnerschütterung diagnostiziert, dies kann jedoch daran liegen, dass Frauen im Allgemeinen eher medizinische Hilfe in Anspruch nehmen.

prevention

The only known way to prevent the development of persistent symptoms after a concussion is to avoid the head injury in the first place.

Avoid head injuries

Although you can't prepare for every potential situation, here are some tips to avoid common causes of head injuries:

• Schnall dich an wenn Sie in einem Auto reisen, und stellen Sie sicher, dass Kinder in altersgerechten Sicherheitssitzen sitzen. Kinder unter 13 Jahren fahren am sichersten auf dem Rücksitz, besonders wenn Ihr Auto Airbags hat.
• Verwenden Sie Helme wenn Sie oder Ihre Kinder Fahrrad fahren, Rollschuh fahren, Inlineskaten, Schlittschuhlaufen, Skifahren, Snowboarden, Fußball spielen, Softball oder Baseball schlagen oder laufen, Skateboard fahren oder reiten. Tragen Sie beim Motorradfahren einen Helm.
• Handeln Sie zu Hause, um Stürze zu vermeiden, wie das Entfernen kleiner Teppiche, die Verbesserung der Beleuchtung und die Installation von Handläufen.

Sources:

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