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 thatPCS is the result of a chemical imbalance in the braintriggered by the initial injury that caused the concussion. Anothertheory suggests PCS may be caused by damage to nerve cells in the brain.
The symptoms of PCS fall into three main categories:
Physical symptoms of PCS can include:
Psychological symptoms of PCS can include:
Cognitive symptoms of PCS include:
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 caused by PCS.
Antidepressants andtalking treatments such as psychotherapy may helpcontrol the psychological symptoms, such as depression and anxiety.
Most cases of PCS will resolve withinthree to sixmonths, and only1 in 10 people will still have symptoms after a year.
Concussion (minor traumatic brain injury) is the sudden but short-lived loss of mental function that occurs after a blow or other injury to the head.
Common symptoms of concussion include headache, nausea, loss of balance, memory loss and dizziness. Symptoms of concussion can be mild to severe.
Concussion occurs when a blow or impact to the head causes a sudden disruption to part of the brain known as the reticular activating system (RAS).
Concussion is often diagnosed in the accident and emergency (A&E) department, by a paramedic at the scene of an accident, or by another trained official.
If there are no signs or symptoms that suggest a more serious brain injury has taken place, most cases of concussion can be treated at home.
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.
There are a number of basic commonsense precautions you can take to reduce your risk of concussion.