Concussion - Complications of concussion
- Introduction
- Symptoms of concussion
- Causes of concussion
- Diagnosing concussion
- Treating concussion
- Complications of concussion
- Preventing concussion
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is the term used to describe a collection of symptoms that can last for several weeks or months after the concussion.
The exact cause of PCS is not known. One theory is that PCS is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain triggered by the initial injury that caused the concussion. Another theory suggests that PCS may be caused by damage to nerve cells in the brain.
Symptoms of PCS
The symptoms of PCS fall into three main categories:
- physical
- psychological
- cognitive (affecting a person’s thinking ability)
Physical symptoms of PCS include:
- headaches – often described as similar to migraines, in that they cause a throbbing pain on one side or the front of the head
- dizziness
- sensitivity to bright lights
- sensitivity to loud noises
- ringing in the ears – the medical term for this is tinnitus
- blurred vision
- fatigue
- lost or changed sense of smell and taste
Psychological symptoms of PCS include:
- depression
- anxiety
- irritability
- lack of energy and interest in the world around you
- sudden and inappropriate outbursts of emotion, such as having fits of laughter or crying for no apparent reason
Cognitive symptoms of PCS include:
- decreased concentration
- forgetfulness
- difficulties with learning new information
- difficulties with reasoning
Treating PCS
There is no specific treatment for the symptoms of PCS, though many medications used to treat migraines have also proved effective in treating the headaches.
Antidepressants and talking treatments such as psychotherapy may help control the psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
Most cases of PCS will resolve within three to six months and only one in 10 people will still have symptoms after a year.
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