Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a status in which the symptoms of concussion or a head injury last long subsequently the initial injury.

PCS tin final for months or years, but the symptoms amend over time, and, in about cases, people make a full recovery.

In this article, we look at the symptoms of PCS and how long they terminal. Nosotros too cover causes and risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options, and possible complications.

In PCS, the symptoms of a concussion last for a long time after the initial injury.

Long term effects from a concussion are non common. After getting a concussion, the majority of people recover from the initial symptoms within two weeks to a calendar month. However, approximately 20% of people will feel PCS and have symptoms that last for longer than half-dozen weeks.

Co-ordinate to some sources, concussion symptoms that affect three or more "domains" — which include emotional changes and cognitive damage — for more than one or ii months are indicative of PCS.

PCS can last for months or even years, but the symptoms do not worsen. PCS improves over time, and, in nearly cases, people recover from information technology.

an infographic of Post-Concussion syndrome.

The symptoms of PCS can include:

  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • increased sensitivity to lite
  • increased sensitivity to racket
  • irritability
  • changes in emotional state, such equally becoming more than susceptible to stress
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • difficulty concentrating
  • memory bug
  • difficulty sleeping
  • increased intolerance to booze
  • modify in appetite

Many of these symptoms overlap with those of other medical conditions, such as mail service-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.

Research suggests that the crusade of PCS is impairment to the white thing in the brain.

White thing is tissue in the brain comprising nerve fibers. Damage to this tissue tin affect pathways betwixt the brain and the balance of the torso, which tin can create the range of symptoms that people experience with PCS.

Sure groups are more than at chance of PCS than others, including females, older adults, and people with a history of:

  • concussion
  • seizures
  • learning, mood, or anxiety disorders
  • migraine headaches

Athletes and people serving in the military may too exist more at chance of PCS because they take a higher risk of concussion or traumatic brain injury.

According to a study from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), between 1.6 million and 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur in the United States each year. Athletes are as well more prone to repeat concussions.

The NINDS as well annotation that 20% of deployed armed services personnel sustained head injuries during the Republic of iraq and Transitional islamic state of afghanistan wars. Amidst these individuals, 83% had a concussion or a mild, uncomplicated traumatic brain injury.

Multiple concussions can increase the risk of long term concussion symptoms. It is important that people rest until they are fully recovered subsequently a head injury to allow the brain time to heal properly.

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A doctor may order a CT browse to diagnose PCS.

A dr. or team of healthcare professionals will diagnose PCS past assessing the person'southward symptoms. Diagnosing PCS tin can be tricky because many of the symptoms overlap with those of other health weather.

There are set criteria for PCS which crave related symptoms in three or more categories to be present for a calendar month or longer.

A doctor may also behave out neurological tests to check for any balance issues or cognitive changes. They may utilise CT scans or MRI scans to check images of the brain and dominion out any other possible underlying causes.

Treatment for PCS focuses on providing symptom relief to assist a person manage the condition. Residue is one of the near important components of PCS treatment every bit it allows the brain to recover and heal from a concussion.

Where possible, doctors often avoid using medication to care for PCS symptoms considering an injury to the head can make the brain more than sensitive to drug use and possible side effects.

Doctors may advise people to expect several weeks earlier starting an agile treatment, such as an exercise programme or another type of therapy. In addition, suffering multiple concussions in brusque bridge of time tin significantly worsen symptoms and delay recovery.

People can endeavor a range of different therapies that may assist their recovery from PCS. For all of these therapies, a person volition work with a medical professional who will monitor their progress and tin can suit the handling programme as necessary to suit them.

Vision therapy

Vision therapy uses a range of exercises to assistance people who have vision issues due to PCS. The exercises tin aid repair damage to the visual system or assistance the encephalon adapt to changes in connectivity.

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation too works to target any vision problems that people may be experiencing. A treatment plan will combine the employ of lenses, prisms, and filters to aid stimulate parts of the encephalon that are not working as usual.

Balance therapy

Residue, or vestibular, therapy can assistance people if they are experiencing a lot of dizziness equally a symptom of PCS. Exercises to encourage balance and stability can help reduce this disorienting symptom.

Physical therapy

If PCS causes concrete pain in the body, physical therapy can help relieve symptoms. This therapy might include massage, gentle exercise, and heat therapy to relax the trunk and aid recovery.

Exertion therapy

Exertion therapy uses gentle aerobic do to assistance the body recover. People might employ a pool or a slice of gym equipment, such every bit a treadmill, that carries minimal take a chance of head injury.

A medical professional will monitor the individual carefully during this therapy to make sure that they are not overdoing the exercise, which may tiresome down recovery.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may aid people who have mood-related PCS symptoms, such every bit depression, anxiety, or mood swings.

CBT helps people get aware of negative thought patterns and behavior and provides them with practical tools to overcome these issues.

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People with a history of depression or migraine may take a worse experience of PCS.

PCS can cause an increased gamble of depression. If someone has a preexisting wellness condition, such as depression or migraine, concussion and PCS may make information technology worse.

If postal service-concussion syndrome is causing people to feel unsteady, they may be more at gamble for repeated injuries. Multiple concussions can result in harm to the brain, potentially leading to depression and changes in beliefs or personality.

To assistance prevent further injury to the head, people should avoid whatsoever activity or do that could result in a second concussion and complications. People who play sport should look until they recover from symptoms before continuing.

PCS tin can take time to get away, but it does get better over fourth dimension. People may need to alter their daily activities or schedule to allow for more than rest time.

People can piece of work with a team of healthcare professionals to aid manage their symptoms and monitor their progress. The treatment plan will be dissimilar for each individual, so people may want to endeavor out various approaches to run into what works best for them.

Postal service-concussion syndrome is non a degenerative disorder and, in near cases, it goes away completely in fourth dimension.