MANAGING YOUR

POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME
A concussion results from a head injury.
What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Post-concussion syndrome is a
complicated disorder that may follow A concussion is a very brief and temporary loss of conscious-
a concussion. Up to 80% of people
ness after a head injury. It usually doesn’t cause any problems
who have a concussion will have
that might be found during a physical examination or tests such
post-concussion syndrome,
as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging
usually more women than men.
(MRI).
Post-concussion syndrome is a complicated disorder that
may follow a concussion. It’s a collection of different specific
symptoms. Up to 80% of people who have a concussion will
Symptoms include: have post-concussion syndrome, usually more women than
men.

What Causes Post-Concussion Syndrome?

The cause is a jarring injury to the brain. The syndrome may
also be related to psychological factors.
Trouble sleeping, bad dreams

What Are the Symptoms of

Mild personality changes Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Symptoms include a headache, poor concentration, mild mem-
ory loss, irritability, trouble sleeping, bad dreams, dizziness,
tiredness, and sensitivity to noise and light. Sometimes mild
personality changes occur. These symptoms go away during
weeks to months, but they may last for a year or more. People
usually improve slowly during this period.

Headache How Is Post-Concussion Syndrome Diagnosed?

Poor concentration, The doctor makes a diagnosis by noting the presence of symp-
tiredness toms in someone who has had a concussion.

Treatment consists of watchful waiting until

symptoms go away. No medicines can shorten IBUPROFEN
recovery time. Most people recover completely.
Analgesics such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and
ibuprofen usually help the headache.

Copyright ¢ 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. Ferri’s Netter Patient Advisor 1
MANAGING YOUR POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME

How Is Post-Concussion Syndrome Treated?

Strenuous exercise may make the
headache worse. Moderate Treatment consists of watchful waiting until the symptoms go
exercise, however, may make
away. Most people recover to their normal pre-injury state,
relaxation easier. Exercise
usually without permanent effects.
may also help with sleep
No medicines will shorten the recovery time. Mild analge-
problems by causing just
enough fatigue. sics such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen usually help
the headache. Medicines may also be needed for depression or
anxiety.
Strenuous exercise may make the headache worse. Moder-
ate exercise, however, may make relaxation easier. Exercise
may also help with sleep problems by causing just enough
Some people find biofeedback and fatigue. Some people find biofeedback and relaxation tech-
relaxation techniques helpful. niques helpful.
Changing work or school areas to minimize the effects of
memory loss or trouble concentrating may also be useful.
Support from friends and family to remind people that
the condition is temporary may help in dealing with the
symptoms.
Don’t take part in activities that
could lead to another concussion
DOs and DON’Ts in Managing
while you have this syndrome.
Having many concussions may
Post-Concussion Syndrome:
lead to permanent brain injury
 DO avoid medicines such as stimulants or decongestants.
or even death.
They may make the irritability worse. This condition will
take some time to go away, so avoid medicines that might
be habit forming. These drugs include narcotics, sleeping
pills, and tranquilizers.
 DO avoid making life-changing decisions such as quitting
school or changing jobs because of your symptoms.
 DO call your doctor if your symptoms increase over time
or if they have not improved in several months.
 DO call your doctor if you start to have symptoms such
as increasing dizziness, blurred or double vision, loss of
strength or coordination, vomiting, or severe headaches.
Call your doctor if you start to have These symptoms would be especially worrisome.
symptoms such as increasing dizziness,
blurred or double vision, loss of strength ;D
ON’T do strenuous exercises. Strenuous activity may
or coordination, vomiting, or severe make the headache more intense. Even though this condi-
headaches. These symptoms would be tion may last for several months, remember that it will go
especially worrisome. away.
;D
ON’T take part in activities that could lead to another
concussion while you have this syndrome. It may be that
having many concussions may lead to permanent brain
FROM THE DESK OF
injury or even death.

NOTES FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact the following source:
s Brain Injury Association
Tel: (800) 444-6443
Website: http://www.biausa.org
s American Academy of Neurology
Website: http://www.neurology.org
2 Ferri’s Netter Patient Advisor Copyright ¢ 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc.