Postconcussion syndrome, or in other words contusion, is a common complication of traumatic brain injury, which is most often observed with concussion. The disease is manifested by irritability, fatigue, dizziness, cephalgia, slight intellectual decline, change in character and apathy. Most often, post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is diagnosed when a victim who has recently received a head injury continues to experience concussion symptoms for a long time. Below is more information about this disease.
What is this
PCS occurs as a result of brain injury. Pathology is a common complication. Various sources indicate that the number of those suffering from the disease is up to 50 percent of the total number of all patients withcraniocerebral injuries. The disease is significantly more often diagnosed in people with mild TBI than with severe or moderate ones. PCS can start days after the injury. In some cases, the period between concussion and the appearance of pathology can be up to several weeks. If symptoms persist for more than a year, the syndrome is considered chronic. Classification of concussion according to ICD 10 - S06.0.
Reasons
PCS occurs after a concussion, and the cause of the concussion itself can be:
- fall;
- violent attack;
- traffic accident;
- hitting the head while playing sports (especially football, boxing);
- other causes of postconcussion syndrome.
It is currently unclear why some patients develop PCS and others do not. Only one thing is clear that the appearance of the syndrome does not depend on the severity of the concussion.
Post-commotion syndrome symptoms
A specialist can diagnose PKD after a head injury if three of the following symptoms appear simultaneously:
- headache;
- sleep disorders;
- disorientation;
- nervous state;
- memory loss;
- difficulty concentrating;
- insomnia;
- dizziness;
- personality changes;
- feeling anxious;
- irritability;
- apathy;
- depressive state;
- fatigue;
- special sensitivity to noise and light.
There is no single way to determine the pathology, since the signs of post-concussion syndrome in all people appear individually. The doctor may need to do an MRI and CT scan to make sure there are no significant brain lesions. Usually, after a head injury, the victim is given rest. At the same time, it is able to permanently fix the psychological symptoms of PCS.
Treatment of postconcussion syndrome
Treatment of the disease includes medication and visits to a psychiatrist. In each case, the doctor selects individual therapy based on the symptoms. If the patient is experiencing depression and increased anxiety, the specialist will prescribe psychotherapy sessions. In the event that there are memory problems, cognitive therapy is prescribed.
In addition, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants and anxiolytics to combat the above symptoms. Depression is also effectively treated by a combination of communication with a psychiatrist and medication.
Who is at risk
Everyone who has had a concussion is at risk of postconcussion syndrome. There is a high probability of encountering pathology in people over forty years of age. It was also found that most often PCS is diagnosed in women, but this may be due to the fact that womenthe fair sex in case of poor he alth more often than men go to the hospital.
Some of the symptoms of the syndrome are associated with anxiety, depression and stress. In this regard, experts believe that patients with pre-existing mental disorders are more likely to suffer from shell shock.
Forecast and prevention
Most often the prognosis is favorable, the return to normal occurs within six months. In a small percentage of cases, symptoms persist for a year or more. If the postconcussion syndrome develops into a chronic form, the prognosis for recovery is poor.
Since the main factor in the development of pathology is the psychogenic mechanism, prevention is the creation of a calm psychological environment for a person who has suffered an injury. Factors contributing to the acquisition of a chronic form should also be excluded. During the rehabilitation period, the patient is recommended to have sessions with a psychotherapist and a psychologist.
How to prevent pathology
Due to the fact that the causes of postconcussion syndrome are still not clear, the only way to exclude its occurrence is to prevent brain injury. For this you need:
- use seat belts in the car;
- carry children in special car seats;
- use a safety helmet when doing contact sports and while riding a motorcycle;
- carefully move in the winter season on ice.
Information inconclusion
Post-commotion syndrome is a very serious pathology that occurs as a result of traumatic brain injury. The disease is successfully treated. For any complications and unpleasant symptoms after receiving a concussion, you should consult a doctor. In no case should a pathology be started, as it can develop into a chronic form.
