Definition

Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) refers to continued symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury. Most often it resolves within a month but sometimes the symptoms persist for much longer.

Getting treated early for PCS may help you get better faster. If you think you have PCS, contact your doctor right away.

The Brain

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Causes

The exact cause of PCS is unknown. Several factors contribute to PCS, including:

• Microscopic brain damage from a mild brain injury
• Psychological or emotional stress that results from a mild brain injury

Risk Factors

These factors increase your chance of developing PCS. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

• A mild concussion]]> or brain injury caused by a car accident or assault
• Feeling depressed or being diagnosed with ]]>depression]]> after a mild brain injury
• Low ]]>social support]]>, including not having a lot of close friends or people to confide in after a mild brain injury

Symptoms

PCS symptoms vary from person-to-person. If you experience any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to PCS. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your doctor. Symptoms include:

• Headaches]]>
• ]]>Dizziness]]> or light headedness
• ]]>Vertigo]]>
• ]]>Ringing in the ears]]> or hearing impairment
• Loss of appetite
• Sensitivity to noise and light
• ]]>Anxiety]]>
• Irritability
• ]]>Depression]]>
• Problems with sleep, such as being tired all the time, or not being able to sleep
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion
  • Signs of confusion include a vacant stare, disorientation, delayed responses, and concentration/attention problems
• Memory problems
• Slower intellectual processing speed
• Slurred speech
• Blurred and/or double vision
• Decreased sense of smell and/or taste
• Lack of balance and coordination
• Alcoholic beverage intolerance
• Personality changes
• Decreased sex drive

Diagnosis

PCS is hard to diagnose. The brain damage caused by a mild brain injury is so slight that many tests cannot detect it. It is important to see a doctor with special training in brain injury. These doctors are called neurologists, neuropsychologists, and neurosurgeons. To find one of these doctors, call a local head injury foundation for a referral.

Your doctor will ask questions about:

• Your personal and family medical history
• Your head injury
• Sleep habits
• Recent missed work or school
• Recent memory or relationship problems
• Recent emotional problems, such as irritability, anxiety]]> , and depression

Tests may include:

• Memory and attention tests—to assess your memory and attention abilities
• ]]>CT scan]]>—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the head; to look for signs of persistent injury and/or to see if surgery may improve the symptoms
• ]]>MRI scan]]>—a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the head; to look for signs of persistent injury and/or to see if surgery may improve the symptoms
• ]]>Electroencephalogram]]> (EEG)—A test which evaluates the electrical activity of the brain.

Treatment

PCS treatment depends on your symptoms. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing PCS because the cause is not known. To help reduce your chances of getting PCS, take the following steps:

• Prevent brain injury by following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the Brain Injury Association of America.
• See a doctor who specializes in brain injury as soon as you think you may have PCS.