Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is the troubled aftermath of a concussion that has not resolved in a timely fashion. A concussion is an injury to the brain that can make the brain bleed, or make it swell.
When the injury has been sufficiently violent, the brain will cease to function properly for a time. The most frequent cause of this type of injury to the brain is an accident, taking a fall, or being hurt while playing sports.
At the time of the initial injury to the brain, you may have been knocked unconscious for up to half an hour. After regaining consciousness, you may have found that visually, and mentally, things were not quite right.
You may have been nauseous, or you may have vomited. You may have experienced amnesia, which is quite common after a concussion.
Normally a concussion will resolve itself within a week or so. If this does not happen, you will have entered the realm of post-concussion syndrome.
If over the first few days following your concussion you find that your symptoms are continuing to worsen, it is imperative that you seek out further medical attention.
If you are experiencing post-concussion syndrome, you may have headaches and neck pain. Dizziness and vertigo, sensitivity to light and sound, depression and anxiety are all symptoms of post-concussion syndrome.
You may be having trouble with your concentration and you may be frustrated by memory lapses. You may be feeling less intelligent than you did before the injury, and maybe your personality has changed, with mood swings, and great highs and lows.
You may find that movement takes more effort and greater concentration than it did before, and for all that effort, movement just doesn't happen as smoothly as it used to.
And to top all of this off, you are faced with the realization that you have no way of knowing how long life will be this way. You may wonder if it will ever get better. You may fear that things will get worse. And unfortunately only time will tell.
Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome may linger for weeks, for months, or for years. Usually post-concussion syndrome will peak after a month to six weeks. However, this is not always the case, and PCS can last a year or longer.
Treatment is an individualized combination of rest and physical therapy, and patience while your brain works on healing itself.
Resources:
Moderated exercise may ease post-concussion syndrome, new study finds
http://www.nationalpost.com/rss/story.html?id=2628799
Mild Head Injury (Concussion)
http://www.medic8.com/healthguide/articles/mildheadinjury.html
Post Concussion Syndrome - causes and treatment
http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/post-concussion-syndrome.html
Condition: Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)
http://www.caringmedical.com/conditions/Post-Concussion_Syndrome_(PCS).htm
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